In the UK (ITU Region 1), the 60-meter segment tends to be known by its frequency equivalent 'the 5 MHz band' and is available to all UK Full Licensees. It is the subject of active research by radio amateurs due to its propagation properties. This research commenced in August 2002 by means of a special 5 MHz 'Notice of Variation' (NoV) to the Full UK Licence. Five 3 kHz-wide channels, 5258.5, 5278.5, 5288.5, 5398.5 and 5403.5 kHz were allocated, which by mid-2006 had been increased to seven, the additional ones being 5366.5 and 5371.5 kHz (all USB dial frequencies). In December 2012, UK regulator, Ofcom, announced permission for 11 new frequency blocks, following representations from the RSGB and subsequent Ofcom discussions with the 'Primary User' of 5 MHz in the UK, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD). Although the MoD was unable to permit a continuous band, this allocation of seven channels was substantially increased to eleven frequency 'blocks' (or 'bandlets'), integrating the existing channels. These became active on 1 January 2013.