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26|05|05

Lifetime licences for amateur radio users

Ofcom today announced proposals to reduce the regulatory burden for amateur radio users by replacing the current paper-based system of licensing, renewed annually, with a new, low-cost electronic licence for life.

Ofcom is not proposing to remove the need for amateur radio users to hold a Wireless Telegraphy Act licence. Nor will it will remove any regulation which safeguards the integrity of radio spectrum used by the amateur radio community. Rather, it is seeking the right balance between maintaining sufficient regulatory control to avoid undue interference whilst removing unnecessary bureaucracy and cost.

Amateur radio is an important and popular hobby. It can provide useful training for technical careers and can facilitate research into wireless communications. More than 63,000 people currently hold amateur radio licences, many of whom communicate with fellow amateurs at home and abroad using a broad range of technologies.

Ofcom intends to introduce a simpler, low-cost, electronic licensing process. This would mean:

• amateur radio licences would be valid for life, thereby avoiding the need for paper-based annual renewals which currently cost most users £15 a year; and
• licences would only be updated where amendments to licence details were necessary (for example, changes of name, address or licence level). This would be facilitated by a free online licensing system.

As part of the new process, Ofcom would:

• provide a web-based licensing service as an alternative to the postal service;
• issue electronic licences, free of charge, to users of the online licensing service; and
• continue to offer a postal service for applicants who do not have access to, or prefer not to use, the internet. This service would incur a fee to cover administrative costs, although Ofcom will ensure that disabled licence holders are not disadvantaged as a result.

Ofcom would continue to hold a database of the names and addresses of amateur radio enthusiasts and users will still need to hold a valid Radio Amateur Examination Pass Certificate to obtain a licence. Ofcom would also retain the power to revoke the licence where, for example, a radio amateur breached the terms of the licence.

The introduction of free licences for life would not alter licensees’ access rights to spectrum. Ofcom will continue to monitor frequencies and take action against undue interference wherever appropriate.

The closing date for responses to the public consultation is 18 August 2005. The document can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk.

Ends.

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