The UK government will be given the opportunity to share, trade or release valuable radio spectrum holdings under new plans revealed by Ofcom.

The arrangement means that the Ministry of Defence could trade holdings in frequencies below 15GHz, the most sought after and congested part of the radio spectrum.

The MoD holds around a third of this part of the spectrum and is already committed to sharing a significant proportion with other parties.

Ofcom said in a statement that the initiative will usher in "new wireless services for the benefit of citizens and consumers".

The spectrum held by the public sector could have a market value of anywhere between £3bn and £20bn, according to an independent study published in 2005.

"Public bodies, and the MoD in particular, hold some of the most valuable and sought-after radio spectrum," said Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards.

"By working with these organisations we are enabling them to trade and release this spectrum and create new opportunities for the development of wireless services for the whole country."