The regulator wants to help mobile users at train stations, football stadiums and concerts, where data speeds can be slowed by the flood of traffic at peak times. I

Freeing up these bands could also benefit users of new technologies such as virtual reality, factory automation and driverless cars. With many companies limiting their work with experimental technologies, regulators such as Ofcom could have more time to implement these network improvements before consumers demand them.

Ofcom said it was anticipating the new use of mmWave spectrum will be focused primarily in high traffic areas such as cities. Ofcom will issue city-wide licences for the use of mmWave spectrum through an auction and will issue licences for more local licences on a first-come-first-served basis, using our shared access licencing system

Ofcom is now consulting on the design of the auction for citywide licences, the terms and conditions for citywide and local mmWave licences and how users of the spectrum will be coordinated. Responses to this consultation will be accepted until 22 May.