Business & Technology
UK forum commissions lunar spectrum framework study
Real Wireless has been commissioned by the UK Spectrum Policy Forum to study spectrum frameworks for lunar communications. The work will examine how radio spectrum should be managed for emerging Moon-based communications systems.
The project will assess the spectrum environment needed for sustained lunar operations, including communications relays, surface networks and navigation infrastructure. It will examine future demand across different lunar uses, identify suitable frequency bands and consider how regulation may need to change to support links between Earth systems, lunar orbit and infrastructure on the Moon’s surface.
The commission comes as governments and commercial operators step up planning for longer-term lunar missions, increasing pressure on policymakers to decide how spectrum should be coordinated, protected and governed beyond Earth orbit.
Hosted by techUK, the UK Spectrum Policy Forum brings together industry and policy stakeholders on spectrum issues. The study is intended to provide detailed analysis of how existing terrestrial and satellite spectrum management approaches may translate to an environment where multiple missions and services operate at the same time.
Lunar demand
The study is expected to cover several layers of lunar connectivity, including relay links connecting lunar assets to Earth, local communications networks for surface operations and navigation systems for missions operating around and on the Moon.
Interoperability will be a key focus. Any future framework will need to account for coordination between Earth-based networks, spacecraft in lunar orbit and systems on the surface, particularly as agencies and private operators from different countries pursue their own programmes.
The work will also consider possible conflicts with existing services, including radio astronomy and Earth satellite systems. This could prove significant because spectrum allocations for space services already sit within an international regime that must balance scientific, commercial and public sector demands.
International governance will form part of the review, with attention on how mechanisms developed through bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union may evolve for cislunar and lunar use. The findings are intended to inform UK thinking on how global rules could develop as lunar traffic grows.
Policy questions
The broader policy challenge is that lunar communications are moving from a largely theoretical issue to one of operational urgency. Programmes such as the European Space Agency’s Moonlight initiative and UK-backed lunar missions have strengthened the case for advancing spectrum planning before large-scale activity begins.
For regulators, the issue is not only access to frequencies but also how to avoid interference and ensure systems from different operators can coexist. Those questions become more complex when communications, navigation and scientific services all need access at different points between Earth and the Moon.
Dr Abhaya Sumanasena, head of policy and regulation at Real Wireless, described the significance of the work in the context of those wider developments.
“The Moon is no longer just a distant exploration target. It has the potential to be a practical operating environment for communications and navigation systems in the very near future. Establishing coherent, internationally aligned spectrum frameworks now is essential if we are to enable safe, scalable and commercially viable lunar operations,” Sumanasena said.
The commission also reflects wider UK interest in shaping international spectrum policy for space activity. As lunar communications rise up the agenda, national studies such as this can help governments define positions before multilateral negotiations on new or updated spectrum arrangements.
That matters because any framework for lunar communications is unlikely to be determined by one country alone. International alignment will be needed if orbiting relays, landers, rovers, scientific payloads and navigation services are to work together without harmful interference.
The study is due to run for about three months and will conclude with a report setting out recommendations on spectrum allocation, regulatory reform and international coordination mechanisms for lunar communications systems.
Jayden, 13 launched Jay’s Bakes from his home in Taunton Road in Bicester on Saturday, June 20.
His late nan, a keen baker herself, was the inspiration behind his passion, as well as time spent helping his uncle with his catering business.
Over the last 18 months he has honed his skills by preparing sweat treats every day after school.
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Determined to turn his hobby into something more, Jayden spent two and a half months researching requirements, gaining his Level 2 food hygiene certificate and officially registering his business, mostly without adult intervention.
After four days of preparation, the business officially launched.
Customers were treated to a wide selection of homemade goods, including M&M cookies, Kinder brownies, Biscoff cookies, Victoria sponge trays, lemon drizzle cups and viral ‘dot cakes’.
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His Kinder brownies proved particularly popular, and by the end of the day he had sold out of everything, taking £210.
Despite feeling “excited and a bit nervous” beforehand, Jayden said the opening was a success, with a strong turnout and positive feedback shared on social media.
His favourite moment came when he officially opened the shed by cutting the ribbon.
Supported by his mum, stepdad, grandparents and uncle, Jayden first began selling from a table in May before building and painting his now-signature blue cake shed.
He now plans to continue baking and selling regularly, bringing his creations to the local community.
Lidl has been given planning permission to build its ninth supermarket in Oxfordshire, despite concerns over flooding.
Aldi opened in Didcot in 2015 and has a supermarket at the Jubilee Way roundabout but shoppers in the town have had to wait over a decade for Lidl to follow.
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South Oxfordshire District Council has now backed plans by the German retailer for a new supermarket in Abingdon Road.
Former Didcot mayor Mocky Khan said: “This give the residents of Didcot more choice, especially when you consider the cost of living environment we have at the moment.
“The town is growing with more new homes being built, and with more growth it’s good to have a wide variety of supermarkets to fit all budgets,”
The plans for the new supermarket were first submitted in 2024.
Didcot Town Council previously objected to the scheme, on the grounds of a lack of flood risk mitigation measures, along with the county council who said there was “insufficient information”.
The town council noted there are “several flooding incidents in the area, especially when the Marsh Bridge water pumps fail”.
But in a report by planning officers granting permission to the supermarket, those issues have now been addressed by Lidl.
The officers said the proposals “largely accord” with the policies around planning, and more can be done to “break up” the car park with greenery.
Planning officers chose to let Lidl build the new supermarket subject to conditions.
They said in a report: “Balanced against this policy conflict is the fact that this is a previously developed site, which is currently in a dilapidated state.
“The proposals represent a significant improvement on the current underutilisation of the site and on its appearance.
“The National Planning Policy Framework and Local Plan set out significant support for the reuse of previously developed land.
“As stated in the applicant’s planning statement, there have been previous enquiries as to the redevelopment of the site that have not come to fruition.
“Given this, finding a viable use for the site is a clear benefit which I consider to be of substantial benefit.”
Thirty-four residents had objected to Lidl’s plans, highlighting concerns over extra traffic, there being no need for another supermarket in the town and there being more appropriate locations to build in their view.
Didcot already has an Aldi store just off Broadway and a Sainsbury’s, M&S Foodhall and Asda.
The nearest Lidl to the proposed site are in Lupton Road, Wallingford, and Marcham Road in Abingdon.
Three people wrote in to support the new Lidl, recognising the benefits of a discount food store and the further jobs it will create.
Lidl has said its proposals for a Didcot supermarket would deliver 40 full-time equivalent jobs as well as further employment during the construction phase.
No opening date was given by the retailer, while the developer is currently on site progressing with the enabling works.
A spokesman said: “We’ve seen demand for our affordable, high-quality products continue to rise in Oxfordshire, and we are committed to serving more communities in the area.
“Our new store will create around 40 new jobs and build on our continued growth.
“We’re excited to be a step closer to opening this store and thank everyone who has supported us on our journey so far.”
It also said the £12m investment would work with the 6,300 new homes allocated to be built, as per the local plan.
Dalcour Maclaren, a specialist in utilities and infrastructure, announced the news on June 22, following a detailed assessment of its operations, including governance, employee wellbeing, environmental impact, and social responsibility.
James Neil, CEO of Dalcour Maclaren, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Dalcour Maclaren.
“B Corp status gives us the official badge that recognises everything that matters most to us in our culture, our values, and how we make decisions for our people and our clients. We thrive on doing things differently at DM and B Corp absolutely endorses this.”
The certification means the company meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
Dalcour Maclaren now joins more than 10,000 B Corps worldwide and over 2,600 in the UK, including well-known names such as The Guardian, Innocent Drinks, Patagonia, and The Big Issue.
Chris Turner, CEO of B Lab UK, said: “Welcoming Dalcour Maclaren to the B Corp community is hugely exciting. Its commitment to doing business differently will be an inspiration to others and will help spread the notion that success in business is as much about people and planet as it is profit.”
Dalcour Maclaren operates across the UK and Ireland, supporting major projects in energy, water, transport, and digital infrastructure. The company’s services include land, planning, environment, stakeholder engagement, and geospatial services.
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