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Annual Report & Accounts 1998 - 1999 |
Communicating with Customers
The Agency is committed to maintain an ongoing dialogue with customers to learn their views and inform them of developments. During the year it continued to devote considerable effort to this. The dialogue takes place in a variety of ways:
Production and distribution of a wide range of information sheets, MPT specifications, consultative documents and other publications.
 The homepage of the RA website. |
There was a noteworthy trend towards electronic provision of information. The number of publications sent out during the year, 191,652 publications, was 26% lower than last year, reflecting the greater use being made of the Agency's website to access publications. The site, which contains about 1,500 pages of radio-related material, attracts 'hits' at a rate of a million a year. Figure 1 below shows the increase in use of the site over the last three years. |
A questionnaire added to the
website for 12 weeks attracted 171 responses.
In making publications, including licence application forms, available electronically, the Agency is helping to meet the government's target of making 25% of all dealings with Government capable of being done electronically by 2002 and the further targets proposed in the Modernising Government White Paper. The Agency is working to enhance its electronic provision of services to meet these objectives. |
 Figure 1: RA Website Weekly Hits August 1997 to April 1999 click diagram for an enlarged view |
The 1998 annual programme took place at 8 venues around the country in the autumn. Customers had the opportunity to question and hear from the Chief Executive and senior staff direct and to meet Agency staff from headquarters and local offices. The 1999 series of roadshows, which will include a central London event, will take place in the autumn. Customers are invited to register now, either via our website or by telephoning 0171-223 9006.
Events attended included the Mobile Radio Users' Association conference, the Private Hire and Taxi Exhibition, the Sound Broadcasting Equipment Show, the International Boat Shows, an Amateur Radio Forum and two amateur radio exhibitions, a Citizens' Band radio Truck Fest and a CB open forum. The Agency also raised its profile at marinas around the UK to make our customers more aware of the benefits of correct licensing, and the control and protection of maritime radio services. |
 The RA stand at the Southampton International Boat Show in September 1998. |
The Agency maintains standing consultative committees on mobile radio, fixed links and space services, which make a valued contribution to developing policy on a variety of topics, including spectrum pricing. In addition, the Agency is building a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the British Citizens' Band Confederation (BCBC) and discussions are now being held on a regular basis, including the possibility of a one-to-one data facility on Citizens' Band channels.
The Agency also continues to liaise with the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) on matters affecting amateur radio. Topics have included the introduction of a new licence with restricted access to HF channels, the question of greater access for Novice licensees and on-demand examinations to help encourage newcomers to the hobby. Following the extension of the Greetings message facility to all holders of a full Amateur Radio Licence, newcomers without a licence can try the hobby under supervision. During the year, the Agency has simplified requirements on UK amateurs operating abroad, made a number of changes to the 10 GHz band, reviewed arrangements for issuing contest callsigns on a three-year basis and started work on simplifying procedures for repeater applications.
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