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Summary

Ofcom regards the amateur radio community as an important radio spectrum user group and will ensure that the needs of the community are reflected in policymaking.

Ofcom wishes to seek the least intrusive means of regulating wherever possible and is committed (as directed in the Communications Act 2003) to reducing the regulatory burden (and therefore, costs) for all of its stakeholders. However, Ofcom will balance this against the need to retain all necessary safeguards to ensure the integrity of radio spectrum use, including use by the amateur radio community.

We outline four options for reform in this consultation document:

A proposal to introduce a lighter, electronic licensing process – ‘licences for life’

This proposal would reduce costs to licensees, reduce bureaucracy for licensees and enable Ofcom to serve the community more efficiently. It would mean:

1. Amateur radio licences would be valid for life, thereby avoiding the need for renewals. A ‘licence for life’ would remain valid for the lifetime of the licensee. Licences would only be updated where amendments to licence details were necessary (e.g. changes of name, address or licence level);
2. Electronic, printable licences would be available online. This would provide an alternative to the postal service;
3. Electronic, printable licences (probably PDF® documents) would be available to users of the online, web-based, self-service licensing service free of charge;
4. Ofcom would continue to be able to process applications received by other means but in order to cover the extra administration of such applications a small fee would be charged. We would of course continue to make special provision for disabled applicants so that they would not be disadvantaged by any arrangements of this type;
5. Ofcom would continue to hold a database of the names and addresses of amateur radio users.

Alternative 1 – WT Act licence exemption

This alternative would mean:

1. There would be no licence document available for inspection by foreign administrations;
2. Ofcom would no longer hold a database of the names and addresses of amateur radio users;
3. It would still be necessary to allocate call-signs;
4. There would still be the need for conditions to be attached to the Licensing Exemption Regulations such as the need for a valid Radio Amateur Examination Pass Certificate;
5. There would be no charge for radio use to the amateur radio user.

Alternative 2 – Maintain the existing licensing regime but with an extended renewal period

This alternative would mean:

1. The licence application process would be familiar and all existing safeguards on standards and competence to operate would be retained;
2. The cost of the licensing process would be slightly reduced;
3. Ofcom would continue to notify amateur radio licence holders of changes to their licence terms and conditions;
4. Ofcom would continue to hold a database of the names and addresses of amateur radio users.

Alternative 3 – Maintain the existing licensing regime

This alternative would mean:

1. The licence application process would be familiar and all existing safeguards on standards and competence to operate would be retained;
2. The present cost structure and charging mechanisms would remain unchanged;
3. Ofcom would continue to notify amateur radio licence holders of changes to their licence terms and conditions;
4. Ofcom would continue to hold a database of the names and addresses of amateur radio users.

On balance, and having considered all four options, Ofcom is minded to recommend ‘Licences for Life’. This proposal would reduce the regulatory burden on the amateur radio community whilst retaining the necessary safeguards to ensure the integrity of this important use of the radio spectrum. It would also be consistent with the level of regulatory intervention required to manage amateur radio spectrum and also with the UK’s international obligations.

Specifically, Ofcom believes the following would not change if this proposal was put into effect:

• Existing standards would be maintained.
• There would still be a legal requirement for radio amateurs to hold a valid WT Act amateur radio licence.
• The licensee would retain the responsibility for ensuring that licence details are amended as and when necessary (upon a change of address for example).
• Ofcom would retain the power to revoke the licence should the radio amateur breach the terms of the licence.
• It would still be a requirement to hold a valid Radio Amateur Examination Pass Certificate in order to obtain a licence.
• For radio amateurs who wish to operate overseas, there would still be a licence document available for inspection by foreign administrations.
• Ofcom would continue to hold a database of the names and addresses of all licensed radio amateurs.
• Every amateur would continue to hold their own unique call-sign(s).
• Ofcom would continue to notify amateur radio licence holders of changes to their licence terms and conditions.
• It would still be possible for radio amateurs to apply for a Notice of variation to the licence if required.
• It would still be possible to operate amateur radio repeaters.
• It would still be possible to operate packet radio.
• Current spectrum access rights would be maintained. Ofcom’s spectrum management and enforcement activities are not determined according to the level of the licence fee.
• All licensed radio amateurs would automatically receive a ‘licence for life’. No action would be required on their part unless their licence had lapsed at the point when ‘licences for life’ were introduced.
• Ofcom, or its agents, would continue to provide a postal service for applicants who do not have access to the internet or who prefer not to use the internet.

In summary, Ofcom believes that radio amateurs must continue to hold a valid WT Act amateur radio licence and must hold a valid Radio Amateur Examination Pass Certificate in order to obtain a licence.

We welcome your views on whether you agree with our analysis and conclusions and hope that you will respond to this consultation. Following the end of the consultation period, and after first considering each of the responses received during the consultation, we will publish a statement. The statement will summarise the views expressed during the consultation, provide Ofcom’s response to each of these views and set out Ofcom’s decision regarding the future of amateur radio licensing. We regret that it will not be possible for Ofcom to write back to each respondent individually although we will confirm receipt of any electronic submissions. Further information on how to respond to this consultation may be found in section 9.

The full document is available below

• Consultation on a proposal to reform amateur radio licensing [pdf]
  Full print version

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