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Changes to Ofcom’s Wireless Telegraphy Act licensing system. (April 2008)

1: Why is Ofcom changing its computer systems?

When Ofcom was created, we inherited around 70 systems from the legacy regulators from which Ofcom was formed. In 2005 Ofcom launched a major programme, Project Unify, to integrate these into one system. Moving to a new modern licensing and spectrum management tools will result in an improved service for our Wireless Telegraphy Act (WT Act) licensees

2: What will the changes mean for me as a licensee?

Ofcom has improved the way we manage licences but you do not need to change the way you apply or pay for your WT Act licence. The improvements include:

Changes to the structure of licences so that each link has its own licence
New arrangements for validating and renewing licences
New Payment Arrangements including credits for licence surrender
New facilities for e-communication
Changes to licence numbering
Changes to account numbering
Changes to the batch file format

N.B .For ‘batch file’ customers, we are making some improvements to the file format. These customers have been contacted separately about these changes. The ‘batch file’ process is only available to customers when agreed in advance and is for those who regularly apply for large numbers of licences.

3: Will I need to do anything?

No. Users of the ‘electronic batch file’ have been contacted separately to ex plain the changes to them. If you wish to make changes to your existing licences please contact the Fixed Links Licensing Team at Ofcom. fixedlinklicensing@ofcom.org.uk or 0300 123 1000 or 020 7981 3131.

4: Is my WT Act licence changing in anyway?

No, there will be no changes for existing licences.

For new point to point fixed-links licences, each link will be issued with its own licence. We have written to all licensees about this change which will make it quicker and easier for Ofcom to issue, price, vary, surrender, revoke or trade licences and enable all links to have a single billing date. See question 7 for further details.

5: Do I need a new licence for my existing links?

No. Your existing licence remains valid and we do not plan to re-issue licences. If you apply for a new licence, or vary an existing link, we will issue you with a new licence to cover that link.

6: If my application includes a number of links will I receive the licences separately?

For new licence applications you will receive one licence per link, which will be sent when the licence is available for issue. If you would like receive all licences at the same time contact: fixedlinklicensing@ofcom.org.uk or telephone 0300 123 1000 or 020 7981 3131

7: Are licence fees changing?

No. Ofcom has introduced a new facility to offset your renewal fee against any links you surrender during the year. More details on this can be found at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/fixed/newsystem/info.

8: When do I have to pay for my licences?

Your renewal date won’t change. We have introduced an improved renewal process to ensure your renewal fee is set to reflect your spectrum requirements. This process is set out in the information document: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/fixed/newsystem/info.

It is a condition of a WT Act licence that renewal fees are paid on or before the renewal date and we believe the new approach will better support licensees in fulfilling this obligation.

9: Will I get a new licence when I renew my licence?

No. We will however issue a summary of all the links you have licensed with us when you renew your licence, together with the new reference numbers for each of your links. These will change on the new system but your existing reference numbers can be easily converted. (see question 12).

10: Can I receive my licence documentation electronically?

Yes. Contact fixedlinklicensing@ofcom.org.uk quoting your customer reference number:

11: Can I apply for a new licence by email

Yes. Ap ply at www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/fixed/applications/

Submit your com pleted form to fixedlinklicensing@ofcom.org.uk

12: Will any of my reference numbers change?

Yes. We will be changing both your customer number and your licence numbers.

Your customer reference number is the unique number we give each organisation or individual who has a WT Act licence and we will provide you with a new number when we next contact to you, usually when we next validate your licence.

Licence numbers are also changing. We will provide you with these new numbers when we next validate your licence. The new numbers are based on your existing RA link reference number and can be easily calculated (see below). If you haven’t received your new reference numbers from us you can still contact us using your old reference numbers in the interim.

The new licence number for these links will be calculated by adding 400000 to the current link reference number, for exam ple:

Current Link id = 000300

New Licence number = 000300 + 400000 = 400300

For licensees who have link reference numbers above 990000 the new licence number will be calculated by subtracting 600000 from the current link reference number, for exam ple

Current Link id: 990001

New Licence number: 990001 – 600000 = 390001

The final presentation of the new licence number may be preceded by a zero and a forward slash followed by another number. This number is a version number and will be incremented if a technical variation is carried out on this link, for example: 0390001/1 0400300/2

13: Can I still trade my links?

Yes. An application form and details on how to apply for a trade can be found at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/trading/tradingguide/

14 Will paper-based applications still be accepted?

Yes. The form, OfW85 can be downloaded from: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/fixed/applications

15: Can I still obtain Hi/Lo information?

Yes. We have now included this information in the Wireless Telegraphy Register (WTR). This provides a searchable database of all fixed link licences (as well as other types of tradable Wireless Telegraphy Act licences). The WTR and information on how to use it can be found at: http://146.101.202.225/public-tnr/wtrSearch.do

16: Will the new system make any difference to the frequency assignment methodology used by Ofcom?

No. Ofcom will continue to use the current noise-limited frequency assignment methodology although there will be some differences in its im plementation. The noise-limited methodology has been developed and refined in order that fixed links are robust to harmful interference and any fundamental changes to our assignment criteria will always be approached carefully and discussed with industry.

Information on Ofcom’s approach to frequency assignment can be found in Technical Frequency Assignment Criteria (TFAC) documents at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/tech/tfacs/

17: Will I still be able to get updates on the status of my batch applications?

Yes. You will continue to receive a batch file log report to inform you of links that have passed or failed validation.