---
title: "Spectrum Licensing System"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "OFCOM"
published: "2026-01-14"
---

# Spectrum Licensing System

Buyer: OFCOM  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6.json)

## Summary

The procurement process, managed by Ofcom, pertains to the "Spectrum Licensing System" aimed at maintaining, supporting, and developing services related to spectrum and broadcast licensing. This process, classified under the industry-specific software package category, was executed through a direct award to LS Telcom AG due to the proprietary nature of the required services and technical exclusivity. The contract, covering a five-year period with an option for a five-year extension, commenced on 1st January 2026 and is set to end on 31st December 2030. Ofcom's headquarters is located in London, United Kingdom, with LS Telcom AG situated in Lichtenau, Germany, marking the collaboration between the UK public authority and a large-scale supplier. The procurement method followed the guidelines of the Procurement Act 2023 due to the unique and complex nature of services needed.

This tender presents substantial business growth opportunities for firms capable of supporting or integrating with the existing spectrum management systems, particularly those with an expertise in industry-specific software development. Firms that specialise in regulatory compliance and the development of licenses may find alternative opportunities with Ofcom, especially for new or simpler license types. While LS Telcom AG holds exclusive rights to current maintenance and development operations, other businesses that can offer complementary services or innovative solutions may benefit from future procurement processes if Ofcom seeks additional development options outside the existing framework.

## Notice

As part of our statutory duties Ofcom is required under the Wireless Telegraphy (WT) Act to authorise the use of spectrum by radio equipment. Unless such use of a spectrum band is explicitly exempt by regulation, use is authorised through the issuance of an appropriate spectrum license and collection of the required fees. This contract consolidates into a single contract a range of maintenance, support and development agreements for services related to Spectrum and Broadcast licensing.

### Procurement Information

Ofcom intend to enter into a five-year agreement with LS Telcom AG with the option to extend the term by a further one five-year period. The agreement is being entered into on a single source basis in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023 as competition is absent for technical reasons to deliver maintenance and operational development services for Ofcom's spectrum licensing system which is licensed by LS Telcom AG (the "System"). A direct award to LS Telcom AG is appropriate as they are the only firm that can realistically provide the services, and competition is absent for technical reasons as follows: * A significant portion of the services, those related to maintenance, involve making change to software code that is owned by and proprietary to LS Telecom and therefore cannot reasonably be performed by other suppliers. * Similar constraints apply to development services - no other supplier is licensed to use and develop the System. Therefore, if development services are not secured from LS Telecom an alternative spectrum management system would be required. * The nature of the services required are highly specialised. * With respect to development of new licence types and in particular those that are not tied to the existing LS Telcom implementation, Ofcom remains open to alternative development options. A number of simpler licences have been implemented in alternative licencing systems. Moving to a new system would require a major new programme with sizable operational and financial risk. Such a programme would take many months to articulate and years to implement which is not practicable as the System requires regular updating in response to regulatory changes. The cost and time taken to undertake a change in Ofcom's spectrum licensing system would not offer value for money and would far exceed the cost of continuing with the System, which is working effectively. For these reasons and because the System is not capable of being licensed / sub-licensed to other suppliers, paragraph 5 of Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023 (single supplier: exclusive rights) also applies.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003045-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 14 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 17 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £24,600,000 |
| Contracts value | £24,600,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | OFCOM |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South East London |
| Postcode | SE1 9HA |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI4 Inner London - East |
| ITL 3 | TLI44 Lewisham and Southwark |
| Local authority | Southwark |
| Electoral ward | Borough & Bankside |
| Westminster constituency | Bermondsey and Old Southwark |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LS TELCOM |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 48 - Software package and information systems
- 72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

### Codes

- 48100000 - Industry specific software package
- 72212100 - Industry specific software development services

## Release History

- 14 Jan 2026 at 11:39 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003045-2026
- 21 Jul 2025 at 09:52 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041541-2025
- 1 Jul 2025 at 14:57 - AwardUpdate - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036512-2025
- 1 Jul 2025 at 13:29 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036455-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003045-2026
  14th January 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041541-2025
  21st July 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036512-2025
  1st July 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036455-2025
  1st July 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-10277
  ECM_1472 - Spectrum Licensing System Redacted Contract

## Notice URLs

- http://www.lstelcom.com
- http://www.ofcom.org.uk
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0556d6.json.