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The Communications Bill makes it one of Ofcom's primary duties to secure the "optimal use for wireless telegraphy of the electromagnetic spectrum" and, in so doing, to have regard to the needs and interests of all spectrum users. This recognises the exceedingly broad range of spectrum users, from radio amateurs to cellular networks and from private mobile radio to radio astronomy, as well as the special communications requirements of essential public services and national security.
The Bill also introduces various reforms to facilitate more effective management of the radio spectrum, including spectrum trading and recognised spectrum access (RSA). Spectrum trading will help provide faster access to spectrum for the new services through the market, as an alternative to applying for a licence. RSA is a new spectrum management system that will provide enhanced security of quality of spectrum to users who cannot be licensed. Such developments will help spectrum management keep up with the frenetic pace of technical and market developments in the fast-moving communications sector, and help spectrum management to facilitate innovation and growth.
Just as much effort is going into the vital task of preparing for Ofcom and making sure that this proceeds as seamlessly as possible for our customers, of whom I met a good number during the Agency's autumn roadshows around the UK. The feedback from these and from the customer surveys has been positive. My aim is to ensure that the transition to Ofcom proceeds smoothly and successfully. A key part of this goal is to keep customers informed of developments and to continue to provide the same high standards of service throughout.
As time goes on we are in ever closer touch with the Ofcom Chairman David Currie, the Chief Executive Stephen Carter and the new Ofcom management team.
Review
of spectrum management
This year has seen no fewer than two external reviews of spectrum management,
first by Professor Martin Cave and later by the Trade and Industry Committee.
Professor Cave's report, published in March 2002, supported the reforms of spectrum pricing and auctions that were introduced with the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 and made a series of recommendations to develop and extend these, including the introduction of spectrum trading. The Government accepted virtually all his recommendations. We have started the groundwork to implement them, working with the new Ofcom management to ensure a smooth transition.
The Trade and Industry Committee's enquiry followed the scrutiny of the draft Communications Bill over the summer. The report, published in December, largely supported the general direction of spectrum management policy, but was critical of the proposal for RSA. The Government's response, published on 14 March 2003, took note of the Committee's conclusions, many of which will be matters for Ofcom, but defended RSA.
The new European Directives on electronic communications were adopted last March. Once implemented on 25 July 2003, these will require a number of changes to our licensing and enforcement processes, and will open the door to the introduction of spectrum trading.
Against the background of these major changes, 'business as usual' continues to have its highlights: the vital role played by the Agency in supporting the success of the Commonwealth Games, the progress on e-licensing which won us a management consultancy association award for IR2008. There are many measures of our achievements in this report.
On the enforcement side, the prosecution statistics speak for themselves, but I also read in the media recently that the Agency was single-handedly destroying the music industry! Fortunately, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary, but such a headline showed that our new approach of targeting pirate stations through advertisers and party organisers was having a real impact.
Even as I write, the 3.4 GHz auction is in full swing, and the Agency team at the World Radio Conference in Geneva is negotiating to set the ground rules for spectrum use for many years to come.
During the passage of the Communications Bill, Stephen Timms, Minister of State for e-Commerce and Competitiveness, mentioned the effective way in which the Agency carries out vital if unsung tasks, and the respect it commands from its international counterparts and those on the receiving end of its work in the UK.
Since I joined in July, I have become aware of the tremendous depth of expertise, commitment and teamwork that go to make the Agency a success. Without this work, many activities and services that people have come to take for granted in their daily lives – from mobile communications and the broadcast media through to safe aircraft landings – would not be possible. So I would like to add my own tribute to that of Stephen Timms.
Development
of staff
We have continued to develop our people both by providing support for
professional qualifications and by nurturing personal development and
diversity. The converged Ofcom presents them with wider and more stimulating
opportunities, and I am confident that they will continue their proud
record there.
On a personal note I would like to thank Mike Goddard for stepping in as Acting Chief Executive at the start of the year. I am also grateful to the Management Board in particular and to everyone in the Agency for the warm welcome they gave me when I arrived, and for the help, support and commitment that they have shown.
Rolande Anderson
Chief Executive
9 July 2003
The
Agency Management Board: left to right, David Smith, Director of
Corporate Services and Facilities; Mike Goddard, Director of Spectrum
and International Policy; Rolande Anderson, Chief Executive; Hazel Canter,
Director of Spectrum Services; Barry Maxwell, Director of Customer Services
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