The UK government added detail on how it intends to make good on a 2010 pledge to release an additional 500MHz in sub-5GHz wireless frequencies – held by the public sector – by 2020.

In a paper published by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport – ‘The UK Spectrum Strategy’ – the government said it’s not yet clear the “right arrangements” are in place so departments can pay the market rate for the spectrum they need, or how they release spectrum they no longer use.

To fix the problem, the UK government said it would bring in a team of experts to help work out a consistent methodology for assessing the full value of spectrum. It intends to publish the conclusions by July 2015.

Ofcom, the UK regulator, will handle public sector sales of cleared spectrum.

The paper said good progress had already been made in meeting the 500MHz target, with 190MHz of spectrum currently held by the Ministry of Defence due to be released in 2015.

The UK government once again emphasised how important spectrum is, citing a report from Analysys Mason that its economic value was £52 billion in 2011 – an increase of 25 per cent in real terms since 2006.

Mobile services, said the report, accounted for nearly 60 per cent of this value.

By releasing more spectrum – and using it more efficiently – the government’s aim, outlined in the paper, is to double its economic annual contribution to more than £100 million by 2025.

Among the drivers for economic growth, said the paper, will be 5G, big data, M2M, internet of things, cloud computing and smart cities.

Speaking at the CeBit technology show in Hanover this week, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said British and German universities would work together to develop 5G.

Over £50 million of research funding has already been secured for the 5G Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey.