Government Confirms Proposal to Extend Licensing of Radio Fixed Access Service at 2.4GHz

DTI Press release - 24 February 1999

Proposals to extend the licensing of Radio Fixed Access Services at 2.4 GHz were announced today by the Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Wills.

The 2.4 GHz frequency band is used for a variety of self provided radio systems, short range devices, broadcasting links and non-radio applications such as industrial heating. Since 1996, the band has been used by one Radio Fixed Access operator, Atlantic Telecommunications Limited, who currently operate a regional service covering Strathclyde and the East of Scotland.

Today's announcement follows last years consultation exercise by the DTI's Radiocommunications Agency (RA). The consultative document considered the basis on which further licences would be issued in the 2.4 GHz band for regions across England and Wales. The process also served to elicit expressions of interest in the available regional licences.

In accordance with the proposals contained within the consultation document, the Government intends to proceed with licensing of radio based public services in the 2.4 GHz band on a regional basis.

Two applications meeting the terms of the consultation were received for a total of six regional licences. In five regions, Atlantic Telecommunications Ltd were the sole applicant. RA will immediately make available to Atlantic Telecommunications Ltd a licence for one of these uncontested regions, subject to the terms and conditions laid out in the consultation document. A rolling programme of licensing in the other four areas on a region-by-region basis will then be implemented.

In the sixth region, the Hull/Yorkshire area, two applications have been received for one regional licence. For this region a competition will be held between the two applicants. This will be based on a consideration of detailed business plans to establish which proposal is likely to constitute the most efficient use of the radio spectrum.

The criteria for the competition will be finalised shortly and made available to the applicants.

Notes for editors

1. The DTI's public consultation document " "Future Licensing of Radio Based Public Telecommunications Services in the 2.4 GHz Band" in August 1998. Comments and expression of interest in the available regional licences were invited from interested parties by the 1st October 1998. 9 responses were received.

2. The 2.4 GHz frequency band is designated as an Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. ISM applications include industrial processes such as rubber vulcanisation, specialist
scientific and medical equipment, as well as high density use as domestic appliances such as instance microwave ovens. It is estimated that there may be 10 million domestic microwave ovens in use across the UK.

3. The Scottish based company Atlantic Telecommunications Limited were licensed by the Government in 1996 to operate a regional Radio Fixed Access service in Strathclyde. Their licence was extended in 1997 to cover the East of Scotland. Their system operates using frequency hopping spread spectrum technology, which enables it to co-exist with the other radio applications in the band.

4. The Radiocommunications Agency is an executive agency of the DTI, responsible for licensing civil use of the radio spectrum in the UK.

Summary of Responses to the consultative document on Radio Based Telecommunications Services in the 2.4 GHz Band.

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