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Summary

1.1 In January 2005, as part of its eSafety initiative to improve road safety in Europe, the European Commission adopted a Decision (2005/50/EC) (the “Decision”) on the harmonisation of the 24 GHz range radio spectrum band (21.65 to 26.65 GHz) for the time-limited use by automotive short range radar equipment (“ SRR equipment”) in the community. The Decision requires that the 24 GHz band be designated and made available for SRR equipment until 30 June 2013 (the reference date). The Decision 2005/50/EC is available at Annex 4 of this document.

1.2 The Decision is addressed to all Member States, and the measures provided for in it should be implemented by 1st July 2005.

1.3 To implement the Decision Ofcom proposes to:

(i) make the band available for this purpose by a statutory instrument (regulations) which will permit the use of SRR equipment without the need to hold a licence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (the “1949 Act”):

(ii) keep this exemption available until 30 June 2013 (thereafter only use of equipment which was installed in a vehicle before this date or subsequently installed to replace such equipment will be permitted under this exemption); and

(iii) take steps to ensure interference is not caused to existing users of the band.

1.4 In order to exempt the use of the equipment Ofcom will make new regulations: the Wireless Telegraphy (Automotive Short Range Radar) (Exemption) (No.2) Regulations 2005 (the “Proposed Regulations”). The Proposed Regulations will be made in line with the measures provided for in the Decision.

1.5 The 79 GHz range has already been made available for the use of SRR equipment without the need to hold a licence under the 1949 Act, but equipment is not yet readily available. The exemption of SRR equipment in the 24 GHz range is time limited on the basis that within this timescale SRR equipment will be developed for use in the 79 GHz band. The 79 GHz Exemption Regulations are included in Annex 4 of this document.

1.6 The Proposed Regulations are available for comment and are included at Annex 3 of this document. A number of statutory steps have to be taken to bring the regulations into force and this consultation forms part of that process.

1.7 Section 2 of this document discusses the background to Ofcom’s proposals and contains the notice of Ofcom’s intention to make the Proposed Regulations.

1.8 Section 3 of this document sets out the extent of application, scope and intended effect of the draft Proposed Regulations.

1.9 In order to protect existing Radio Astronomy services, the Decision requires the deactivation of SRR equipment operating in the 22.21 - 24.00 GHz band within defined exclusion zones around UK Radio Astronomy sites. Details of these exclusion zones are included in Annex 6 of this document.

1.10 A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for the Proposed Regulations is available in section 4. The RIA sets out the risks, costs and benefits of the proposals and the effects that these will have on the costs to business.

1.11 Comments are requested by 23 May 2005. Ofcom then intends to make the final Regulations in time to meet the EU Decision implementation date of 1 July 2005.

The full document is available below

• Notice of Ofcom’s proposal to exempt the use of automotive short-range radar equipment at 24 GHz from Wireless Telegraphy licensing [pdf]
  Full print version
• Responses
• Ofcom’s decision to exempt the use of automotive short-range equipment in the 24 GHz band from Wireless Telegraphy licensing : Statement

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