The Radiocommunications Agency – its role in managing the UK Radio Spectrum

RA Executives

Spectrum Policy Executive
(RA1)

	Strategic spectrum planning.
	International representation.
	Radio engineering.

	Developing *UK Spectrum Strategy.* As part of long-term planning, market demand, RA1 oversees a programme of economic and market demand studies.
	Co-ordinating spectrum use with other government departments, in particular the MoD, through leadership of interdepartmental committees on spectrum strategy, national frequency planning, frequency clearance and radio site clearance.
	Spectrum 'wholesaler', allocating frequencies to specific radio services or applications.

Representing UK in international discussions on frequency harmonisation, spectrum engineering and technical standards harmonisation. In Europe, this takes place in the CEPT (the 45-member European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations) and ETSI (the European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and, at global level, in the ITU (the United Nation's International Telecommunication Union) with over 180 member states.

Co-ordinating international spectrum use, e.g. procedures and policy on international notification, registration and co- ordination of frequency assignments, especially satellite filings. Providing advice on International Radio Regulations

Spectrum Services Executive
(RA2)

	Planning spectrum for individual services.
	Licensing and exemption policy.
	Spectrum pricing.
	Authorising use of the radio spectrum by individual users through licensing or exemption. Spectrum 'retailer'.
	Designing licence terms and conditions, e.g. on radio frequency, technical requirements and operating details, on how our customers may use radio without causing interference to others.
	Developing and implementing spectrum pricing policy.
	Authorising or overseeing use of radio equipment by licensing or licence exemption; and formulating the technical and operating standards for the use of radio equipment.

	Seven Business Units responsible for:
		licensing and pricing policy;
		*specialist sectors* (aeronautical, marine, amateur, CB, programme making and special events);
		private business radio systems;
		public wireless networks;
		*fixed links* (including terrestrial and satellite services);
		*broadcasting* (including multimedia and programme making);
		*science and technology* (including deregulated use of spectrum, short range devices and test and development licensing).
	National and specialist licensing take place at our headquarters. Most local services involving individual frequency assignments are handled by our local offices.
	Some licence classes are handled under contract to the Agency by external agents within a licensing policy framework and to service standards set by RA2.

Customer Services Executive
(RA3)

	'Keeping the Spectrum Clean'.
	Local services for local customers.
	Interference investigation, monitoring and enforcement.
	*Serving customers.*
	*Issuing licences locally* and inspecting installations to ensure they comply with licence conditions and so are unlikely to interfere with other users.
	*Education* in correct radio use.
	*Dealing with interference* in accordance with priorities set by Ministers:
		interference affecting emergency services within 24 hours;
		interference affecting businesses within 1 week;
		other complaints within 1 month.
	*Monitoring and technical support.*
	The Terrestrial Monitoring Station tracks down sources of harmful interference reported by UK users and overseas inistrations. The station is staffed around the clock.
	The Satellite Monitoring Station observes communications and broadcast satellites to resolve interference and conflicts between users. It has two fully steerable large parabolic reflectors for Ku and C bands and a1.8m antenna for L band.
	Mobile Monitoring Teams systematically monitor usage of the private business radio(PBR) bands in the UK. Unattended systems monitor PBR channels at selected locations. These can be controlled and read by remote control.

	The NAMAS – accredited EMC and interference laboratories deal with complex measurement and interference work across the whole radio spectrum.
	The Radio Technology and Compatibility Group provides technical evaluation of compatibility of radio systems and contributes to international study groups.
	Enforcement and prosecutions. Agency policy is to try to persuade radio users to operate legally. Those who fail to do so and risk interference to authorised users or who, like unauthorised broadcasters, deliberately flout the law are prosecuted.

	Research The Agency's research programme covers many aspects of spectrum management, spectrum sharing, radio propagation and radio system planning. This programme underpins many aspects of RA�s work and especially long-term planning of frequency allocations. RA leads for the UK internationally and maintains close contacts with the research councils, academicinstitutions and research bodies.

Corporate Services and Facilities Executive
(RA4)

	Financial, human and physical resource management.
	Communications (internal and external).
	Business processes.
	Recruitment, personnel, training and development, IiP accreditation.
	Finance, purchasing and contracts, planning and budget management, day-to-day financial matters and preparing year end accounts.
	Interface between the Agency and Radio Spectrum International Consulting, the joint venture company set up to deliver IT services to the Agency and exploit the UK's spectrum management expertise internationally.

	Business process re-engineering, benchmarking and quality management across the Agency.
	Accommodation issues, building security, records management and Health and Safety.
	Internal and external communication strategies, information and library services, the Agency enquiry point, the Agency's website, publications, intranet and press office.