Radiocommunications Agency Announces New Two-Way Paging Licensee

Press Release - 13 July 2000

The Radiocommunications Agency (RA) is to award a Wireless Telegraphy Act licence to PageOne Communications Ltd to provide two-way paging (TWP) services in the UK. This is a first for the UK and European paging market, which currently provides one-way paging services only. Consultation with industry has shown that the extra functionality offered by two-way paging is essential to enable the paging industry to thrive.

New spectrum will be made available for this service within the 870.0 - 870.6 MHz range and will be used in conjunction with existing spectrum located in the 169 MHz band. The spectrum will be designated for technology-neutral paging, and operators will be free to use the most appropriate paging technology available in the world radio market. This will allow and encourage the development of innovative technologies.

One-way paging services, such as the Enhanced Radio Message System (ERMES), will still be permitted in the 169 MHz band.

Further technical information can be found on the RA website at: www.radio.gov.uk

Notes for Editors

1. The consultation document 'Spectrum for Two-way Paging (TWP)' was published by RA in October 1999. It described the current state of the UK paging market and proposed future developments for the UK paging industry through the introduction of two-way paging services. The document made several specific proposals intended to address the immediate capacity problems, and invited views from industry.

2. The consultation received a favourable response from the paging industry and manufacturers, who welcomed development of two-way paging in the UK. The non-confidential responses are published on the RA website.

3. Following this consultation, on 21 December 1999 RA issued an invitation to apply for licences to provide TWP services. The closing date for applications was 21 February 2000.

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