Business Review 1997-98: Chief Executive's Forward

Business Review 1997-98

Chief Executive's Forward

"The Agency is committed to a policy of information and consultation. The Business Review is one of a set of key documents about the Agency's stewardship of the radio spectrum, which is one of the main building blocks of the knowledge-driven economy."

We rely on feedback to help us manage the spectrum effectively and improve our services. An essential part of the process is dissemination of full information about progress to date and future plans. In addition to consultative documents and information sheets on specific topics and our programme of Roadshows, the documents described below are central to our communication strategy.

a) The Report & Accounts, which this year was published and laid before Parliament in July, is the formal mechanism by which we report to Parliament on the Agency's business. It describes major developments during the year and provides a wealth of financial and customer service information, including audited, commercial-style accounts.

b) The Spectrum Strategy, which was published on the Internet in June and in hard copy in September, is the main document describing present and future plans for managing the radio spectrum. Contents include:

a comprehensive overview of the wide variety of uses made of the radio spectrum from zero to 105 GHz and the Agency's view of future developments, including changes in allocations to help customers plan ahead;

studies commissioned by the Agency on the economic impact of radio and forecasts of future demand for spectrum, which underpin the application of the spectrum pricing powers in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998;

news of international developments, such as WRC-97.

c) Finally, the Business Review, which contains detailed information on various other specific areas of the Agency's activities. It contains:

key operational statistics on licensing and enforcement;

reports on other areas of the Agency's business, such as research and development and publicity.

As an Executive Agency of the DTI, we are accountable to Ministers, to Parliament and also to our customers. Together, these documents form a vital link in the chain of accountability and give a full picture of the broad range of the Agency's activities. I would be very happy to receive comments on them or, indeed, on any aspect of the Agency's business.

David Hendon

Contents