Ofcom has made the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/203). Signed on 3 March 2026 and commencing on 24 March 2026, the instrument updates the 2003 Exemption Regulations to bring additional mobile device bands within licence‑exempt use and to align technical references used by industry and market surveillance authorities.
The amendments are made under sections 8(3) and 122(7) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. In line with section 122(4), Ofcom published its proposal and considered representations before making the Regulations. The scope remains the same: specifying classes of wireless telegraphy apparatus that do not require an individual licence under section 8(1).
The interpretation section of the 2003 Regulations is refreshed so that references to “the Radio Regulations” now point to the 2024 edition. This replaces the previous 2004 edition and aligns UK exemption conditions with the most recent International Telecommunication Union framework used in frequency management and equipment conformity.
A targeted drafting change is made in regulation 5(1)(b): the words “, unless non‑terrestrial use is permitted under Part III of Schedule 6” are omitted. This removes an older cross‑reference while leaving the wider terms, provisions and limitations on licence‑exempt operation otherwise intact.
For LTE radiotelephones, Part 3 of Schedule 3 is expanded. In addition to the existing 3400–3800 MHz entry, the exempt bands now include 703–733 MHz and 738–788 MHz in the 700 MHz range, 2320–2340 MHz and 2390–2400 MHz, the upper C‑band segment at 3.8–4.2 GHz, and millimetre‑wave ranges at 24.45–27.5 GHz and 40.5–43.5 GHz. This formally recognises current device ecosystems while keeping them within defined technical limits.
A new equipment class is introduced for 5G new radio (NR) radiotelephones. Exemption applies across sub‑1 GHz and mid‑band frequencies at 703–733, 738–788, 791–821, 832–862, 880–915, 925–960, 1710–1785, 1805–1880, 1920–1980, 2110–2170, 2320–2340, 2350–2400 and 2500–2690 MHz, as well as 3400–3800 MHz and 3800–4200 MHz. The scope also extends to FR2 mmWave bands at 24.45–27.5 GHz and 40.5–43.5 GHz.
Two legacy sub‑paragraphs in the radiotelephone list-labelled (f) and (g) in Part 3, paragraph 3-are removed. The schedule now focuses on LTE, WiMAX and the newly added 5G NR category as the relevant radiotelephone classes for exemption purposes.
Part 4 of Schedule 3 is updated to reference the Interface Requirements that set the technical conditions which must be met for the exemptions to apply. New entries are IR 2107 for the 700 MHz band (published March 2021), IR 2103 for Shared Access Low Power (January 2025), IR 2104 for Shared Access Medium Power (January 2025) and IR 2110 for 26 GHz in high‑density areas (April 2025). The existing 3.4–3.8 GHz interface requirement published in February 2016 remains in scope.
In practical terms, users of LTE and 5G NR radiotelephones operating within the listed bands do not require individual wireless telegraphy licences, provided equipment and operation meet the specified Interface Requirements and the general conditions in the Exemption Regulations. Network equipment and spectrum assignments remain subject to licensing where applicable.
For organisations planning private or local networks, the explicit references to the Shared Access Interface Requirements mean deployments in 3.8–4.2 GHz and 26 GHz should be engineered to the parameters set out in IR 2103, IR 2104 and IR 2110, including applicable power and location constraints. Terminal operation can remain licence‑exempt when these conditions are satisfied, while network access continues under the Shared Access licensing regime.
The Regulations take effect on 24 March 2026. Manufacturers and service providers should update compliance files to reflect the 2024 Radio Regulations and the relevant Interface Requirements, and verify device band support against the newly listed ranges. Ofcom notes that a full regulatory impact assessment is available via its website and library, with copies placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. The instrument is signed by David Willis, Group Director, Spectrum Group, on behalf of Ofcom.