UK SPF opens tender for a new study on the Future of Spectrum Sharing
The UK SPF is pleased to announce a new invitation to tender for an independent study on The Future of Spectrum Sharing, Wireless Networks and Connectivity. We are seeking a partner to help industry, government and regulators understand how spectrum access, sharing and coexistence may need to change as wireless networks converge.
Why this study, and why now
Mobile, Wi-Fi, fixed, private and satellite networks no longer operate as entirely separate systems. They are increasingly combined to deliver a single service, and users often move between networks without knowing which technology is carrying their connection. For consumers, connectivity is becoming one seamless experience delivered across many networks and providers.
Spectrum access is changing at the same pace. Dynamic spectrum access, automated interference management, satellite direct-to-device services and closer interaction between mobile and Wi-Fi systems are challenging long-held assumptions about how spectrum is assigned, coordinated and managed. As spectrum use becomes more dynamic, traditional approaches to access and coexistence may come under growing pressure.
The UK SPF wants to understand what this means for the UK, and what policymakers, regulators and industry should do next.
What the study will cover
The study will consider four areas relevant to the UK:
Hybrid networks and consumer experience: how end users use hybrid services in practice, including user experience, use cases and how people move between networks, from mobile and Wi-Fi to neutral-host and satellite direct-to-device.
Sharing modalities and coexistence: where shared use conflicts with traditional exclusive licensing, whether policy gives enough weight to shared spectrum, and horizon scanning on mobile–Wi-Fi coordination, terrestrial–satellite sharing and dynamic access.
Next-generation spectrum sharing technologies: the maturity of technologies such as cross-technology sensing, AI-enabled coordination and automated databases, separating what is proven in practice from what remains on the horizon.
Market and governance implications: what convergence means for competition, investment, business models, customer relationships and industry–government collaboration, and how governance may need to evolve.
These areas are a non-prescriptive list of priorities. We know the topic is broad, so we invite bidders to propose how they would combine, prioritise and trim the areas to fit the budget and timeline, and to explain that choice. Bidders should say which dimension of spectrum their analysis addresses (frequency, geography and space, time or licence conditions) and how deep they intend to go: reviewing existing mechanisms or proposing new approaches. We are not looking for another explanation of established frameworks such as CBRS or AFC. We want fresh thinking on what comes next.
What we expect
The final report should describe how hybrid connectivity ecosystems are evolving, set out future options for spectrum access, sharing and coexistence, and evaluate next-generation sharing technologies against UK policy and experimentation needs. It should identify gaps in research, standards, sandboxes, policy or regulation, with recommended next steps. It should also include a roadmap that sequences those actions across the near term, medium term and longer horizon.
The study is expected to take about four months, with monthly checkpoint meetings, an interim scoping note at the first checkpoint, and a mid-point peer review of a draft of the report.
Key details
Budget: of the order of £35,000 (+VAT)
ITT issued: 12 November 2026
Deadline for clarification questions: 11 December 2026
Deadline for tenders: 14 January 2027
How to apply
The full invitation to tender, including evaluation criteria and submission requirements, is available from the UK SPF secretariat. To request the Terms and Conditions, ask a clarification question or submit a proposal, please contact Tales Gaspar at tales.gaspar@techuk.org. If your organisation can help shape the future of spectrum sharing in the UK, we look forward to hearing from you.
Open the ITT briefing document below.