New Radio Research Committee Launched

Press Release - 24 November 2000

The Radiocommunications Agency announces the formation of a new committee to advise on the direction of its research programme. The new committee, to be known as the Radio Research Advisory Committee (RRAC) met for the first time today.

David Hendon, the Agency Chief Executive, stated:
"I am pleased to announce the formation of this new committee which will provide a national forum for the Agency to obtain advice on its research programme. The work of this committee will play a key role in meeting my aim of keeping the Agency at the leading edge of responsive and innovative spectrum management."

The RRAC has a broader remit than the National Radio Propagation Committee, which it replaces. It will also advise on the research aspects of a Spectrum Efficiency Scheme, which the Agency plans to introduce next year. The RRAC has an independent chairman and members, who are appointed on a personal basis from leading organisations in the UK radio community. These are listed in Annex 1.

In order to enable other interested parties to participate in the debate, a mechanism will be put in place to allow corresponding members to access and respond to committee information through the Agency's website at www.radio.gov.uk. The Agency will represent the views of other Government Departments and the corresponding members at meetings of the committee, and will also provide the committee secretariat, listed at Annex 1.

Notes for Editors

1. The Radiocommunications Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry and its main functions are:

Formulating policy on the planning and management of the UK civil radio spectrum;

Co-ordinating UK views and participating in international negotiations on the use of radio;

Authorising use of radio by licensing or exemption;

Formulating technical and operating standards for radio;

Enforcement of legislation on the use of radio equipment and investigation of radio interference.

2. In order to carry out its responsibilities, the Agency undertakes a research programme.

3. The objective of the research programme is to undertake studies that directly support the Agency's regulatory function, including its international activities. Examples include short-term compatibility studies and long-term propagation studies.

4. The Agency's annual budget is about £4 million, of which about £2.5 million is spent on radiowave propagation research.

5. The formation of a new advisory committee was one of the recommendations of a research review that was completed earlier in the year.

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RA website: www.radio.gov.uk

Annex 1

RRAC Members

Members

Committee Secretariat

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