"...and no matter who loses you can be sure that Ofcom will get the blame."

I for one, wish to welcome our Ofcom overlords!

Since 1970s or earlier the "Hidden Transmitter Syndrome" has had no solution:

A<------->B<-------->C<----->D

A is transmitting to B

C and B could hear each other, but C can't hear A and B can't hear D.

Unless ALL devices are part of a smart network with real time accurate location database, it doesn't work. The database has to have the nearby frequency offset vs distance curve for each device.

If B is a TV set you are doomed.

Cognitive Radio and White Space radios are both fantasy. You can only deploy a radio by software in one band (real radios need physical filters that can't be change much by SW/CPU). You can never have enough information to do "White Space" without hurting someone's reception.

You need the boring old-fashioned idea of International co-ordination of band technology and allocations so consumer gear will work at borders never mind other countries and is >1Million volume and the band spec doesn't change very often.

In that respect utilising some replacement for EDGE in GSM makes more sense than migrating HSDPA/3G to 900MHz/1800MHz. The existing handsets/modems keep working but more timeslots or 200kHz carriers can have a different Modulation scheme in them (such as OFDMA/QAM) for higher speed /more robust etc.

We need joined up thinking and planned spectrum not a joss stick inspired Radio Free For all.

Unfortunately the USA devices will be imported and like iTrips and Analogue 49MHz cordless before they will be made retrospectively legal. FCC has lost the plot.

... it's all being sold off. After all, Ofcom's "consultation" showed that everyone is in favour of selling off, I don't suppose many ticked the box for "don't sell it all off". Oh wait, there wasn't an option for not selling it, the consultation was merely on HOW it should be sold.