Business Review 1996/1997

The Agency's responsibilities for the management of the radio spectrum cover a diverse range of spectrum usage. This section of the Review deals with the developments and changes which have taken place in the preceding year, and future proposals in respect of specific categories of radio application.

Private Business Systems

Private Business Radio (PBR) is the term used to describe all self-provided business radio including paging. There is continued demand for PBR and demand is strong for 'on-site systems' including data systems. A new entry-level licence Short Range Business Radio (SRBR) has been introduced and demand has risen with time. On the wide-area side, there was increasing demand for trunked systems (both normal PBR and Band III channels) from local authorities. The number of applications for data systems for taxis also increased. Overall, future demand for PBR is expected to remain strong with particular growth in 'on-site systems' and SRBR.

The Agency continues to promote the manufacture and subsequent use of narrow-band PBR, but its take up has so far been disappointing. It does, however, offer the promise of greater use from the PBR bands in the future. The conditions of access to PBR Short Term Hire (STH) channels were reviewed in consultation with the licensees, and as a result the channel allocation arrangements were altered. There is now reduced sharing between STH and PBR Parking & Demonstration licensees.

As part of the Agency's continuing efforts to prepare and publish licensing statistics, an updated version of RA266 'PMR Statistics and Breakdown of Bands' was published in September 1996 with regular updates planned. In preparation for licence rationalisation, the Agency circulated a discussion document to the industry and licensees on the future of PBR licensing.

Following the success of local processing of Standard Private Mobile Radio (PMR) licences in the Agency's local offices, further devolution of other suitable licence classes was considered. Initial steps are underway in various areas. In the PBR field some paging systems, notably On-Site Hospital, On-Site UHF and Local Communication systems previously licensed from headquarters are being prepared for delivery at a local level. It is hoped to implement this new policy during 1997. This is consistent with ministerial commitments given in the White Paper, 'Spectrum Management: into the 21st Century'. A new Dealers licence will also be issued at a local level from its inception, again during 1997.

A Voice Privacy facility for use with Standard On-Site Private Mobile Radio licences has been introduced although there has been a slow take up of this facility by licensees. However, indications are that this may increase as suitable type-approved equipment becomes more readily available. The Agency plans to review future requirements for Voice Privacy in the light of operational experience.

The UHF2 band covers all frequencies from 450-470 MHz and services operating in this band in the UK do not currently operate on the same plan as most of the rest of Europe. The base transmit (mobile receive) and the mobile transmit (base receive) frequencies are the opposite of that found in mainland Europe. The spacings between the mobile and base transmit frequencies are also different. In Europe the spacing is generally 10 MHz, but in the UK there are many different spacings. In 1991 the Agency commissioned SD Scicon (consultants) to assess the problem of UHF interference from continental sources. Possible solutions were presented and the related implementation costs analysed in detail. The overall conclusion was that, in order to overcome continental interference in the UK, the best long-term solution would be that the UHF band 2 would be aligned with Europe. The initial planning stages of what is a very long-term exercise have now been started.

It is now accepted that in some bands and in some places congestion, or severe congestion, is present. To overcome this the Agency is proposing to introduce new legislation to provide a fairer and more rational basis for pricing, that takes account of the value of the resource. Under this legislation licensees for PBR will subject to 'Administrative Pricing' where fees set by regulation take account of the value of the spectrum used. Extensive consultation with industry has taken place during the development of these proposals which are now before Parliament.

Table 1: PMR STANDARD LICENSES ON ISSUE for the year ended 31 March

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