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1. Introduction

This information sheet outlines the procedures for the national clearance and international co-ordination of frequencies used by television and sound broadcast transmitters in the UK.

It also explains why these procedures are detailed and can be lengthy; and provides an understanding of the respective roles of Ofcom, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, and (in some circumstances) the BBC.

This information sheet is aimed at

• Applicants for radio or television broadcasting stations who are preparing a licence bid to Ofcom; and
• Existing licensees of Ofcom who are applying for a re-advertised licence or planning to make changes to their transmission arrangements.

(Please note that different procedures apply to Restricted Service Licences, issued by Ofcom for sound and television broadcast transmissions on a restricted basis. These are not covered in this information sheet.)

In the case of independent radio, we suggest that you read this information sheet in conjunction with the Ofcom’s publications 'Coverage: Planning Policy, Definitions and Assessment' and 'Notes on Approval Procedures for Sites and Frequencies'.

2. Frequencies

Assignments for analogue and digital television transmission are made in the UHF band (470 to 854 MHz).

Assignments for VHF (Band II) sound broadcasting frequency modulated (FM) services are made in the 87.5 to 108 MHz band.

Frequencies for medium wave (MF) amplitude modulated (AM) transmissions are assigned in the 526.5 to 1606.5 kHz band.

Assignments for digital radio are made in VHF Band III (217.5 to 230 MHz).

3. Clearance for the use of Frequencies

All sound broadcast transmissions must be licensed by Ofcom under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. This requires that proposed assignments are cleared for use in accordance with internationally agreed transmission characteristics. The frequency co-ordination process includes assessing the effect of potential interference with other broadcast assignments in the band, and with adjacent-band services.

Aeronautical navigation and communication services sometimes cause difficulties, as they are accommodated in the band immediately above 108 MHz; safety-of-life considerations require careful assessment of any possible interference from the Band II FM broadcast services.

The first stage in planning assignments is to ensure efficient use of the spectrum and compatibility with other UK broadcast services. The BBC and Ofcom submit proposed assignments with planned coverage areas for their respective services, for technical approval.

For Band II services only, the next stage is to check for aeronautical compatibility, consulting the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

All proposals for television and sound assignments must then obtain national clearances. This involves consulting many other users of the radio spectrum, to ensure that the proposed transmission will not interfere with other radio services.

International co-ordination is also necessary. This involves foreign administrations and ensures that the proposed assignment is in accordance with international agreements - specifically, that it will not cause unacceptable interference to services overseas.

4. Changes to Assignments

Transmission characteristics are precisely defined in terms of location, site and antenna heights, radiated power, antenna radiation pattern and polarisation of the radiated wave. Any significant change in any of these parameters usually requires the assignment to be co-ordinated again. The process is lengthy, and international co-ordination depends on the co-operation of overseas administrations, which can be expected to respond only in the timescales stipulated in international agreements.

For Band II, the complete process should normally take no more than six months if the assignments are straightforward. However, for MF and UHF assignments it can take up to two years.

Although operation on a temporary and non-interference basis within a shorter timescale may be authorised in certain circumstances, it cannot be assumed that this will be possible. Applicants should therefore note the possibility of long delays in obtaining approval for changes in clearing frequency assignments. (These include delays arising from a change in location of the transmitting site.)

5. Service to licensees

Ofcom continually seeks to improve the quality of its service to sound and television broadcasting licensees. With this objective in mind, it holds frequent meetings with the BBC, the Commercial Radio Companies Association and the Community Media Association.

If you are an existing or potential independent broadcaster and you wish to comment on Ofcom's co-ordination and clearance work, please direct it to whichever of the above bodies you feel to be most appropriate. Ofcom will of course respond to written comments from any individual, whether broadcaster or not. However, comments will carry more weight if they are discussed within the appropriate sector organisation and gain the support of that organisation.

6. Further Information

You may find the following sources of information useful:

Broadcast Technical Policy (Sound and TV)
Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA Tel +44 20 7783 4378
Fax +44 20 7783 4303

Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA)
77 Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 5DU
Website: http://www.crca.co.uk

Community Media Association
The Workstation
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield S1 2BX
Tel: 0114 2795219
Fax: 0114 2798976
Website: http://www.commedia.org.uk/

For general enquiries about Ofcom or for further copies of this and Ofcom's other Information sheets, please see our website at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/

7. UK Sound Broadcast Transmitters Frequency Clearance Procedure

Version 2.0 published 16 March 2006

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