Published: 21 February 2024

Last updated: 25 October 2024

Update on Licensing Platform Evolution (LPE) release 3 and impacted spectrum policy implementation timeframes – 25 October 2024

We are notifying stakeholders that the implementation of the third release of our Licensing Platform Evolution (LPE 3) has been delayed due to issues that have arisen during product development. The delays have impacted the availability of our first phase of automation for shared access licences and have also delayed implementation of a few other policy decisions.  

The impacted (delayed) policy decisions include primarily those documented in:

• Updating the amateur radio licensing framework (Phases 2 and 3);
• Extending access in the 26 GHz bands for Shared Access; and
• a subset of the Proposed enhancements for Shared Access. (See detail below)

LPE 3 was originally planned for calendar Q2’2024 and is now expected to be available in calendar Q2’2025.

We are exploring options to make available mmWave Shared Access licences using a manual process early in 2025 and will provide additional updates shortly.

For the Shared Access enhancements set out in July 2024, a subset of the changes have been delayed while others have already been implemented.  Our technical coordination process depends on systems support so changes there have been delayed.  The amendment to the terminal registration requirement for new indoor, low power licensees, and our new user-led coordination process are in place.

We are finalising our plans and will provide more details on the implementation and timing of impacted policy decisions on a dedicated webpage. A further bulletin will be sent once our updated plans and dedicated webpage are finalised.

Our existing products and licensing activities continue as usual (including the current Shared Access and Amateur Radio products) and have not been impacted.

LPE 3 will bring substantial improvements to our licensing processes. We appreciate your patience as our work on it continues.

For further information please contact spectrum.licensing@ofcom.org.uk.