Wireless Telegraphy Act Licence Fees

Press Release - 21 June 2001

The Radiocommunications Agency today announces that the Minister for E-Commerce and d Competitiveness, Douglas Alexander MP, has today laid before Parliament Regulations to continue the phased introduction of spectrum pricing to Wireless Telegraphy Act Licences. Most of the Regulations will come into force on 19 July, and will continue the process of pricing licences according to the amount of spectrum used rather than the administrative cost of licence issue. This process is resulting in exclusive users of spectrum or users in congested areas paying more, but the many thousands of licensees who share spectrum pay less. Fees for major exclusive users are being incrementally increased over a number of years.

Notes to editors

1. These fees do not concern licences which have been awarded by auction process. They have no further Wireless Telegraphy Act fees to pay.

2. The Radiocommunications Agency manages over two hundred thousand licences, ranging from individual licences (e.g. amateurs) to thousands of business radios and several hundred existing national or regional networks. The fee changes include further increases for national networks to simpler and cheaper licensing regimes for many small businesses.

3. A copy of the details of the Regulations, which implement these fee changes, and the Regulatory Impact Assessment will shortly be placed on our website at www.radio.gov.uk. They may also be requested by e-mail or by writing to:

Radiocommunications Agency
Licensing Policy Unit
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SX

Fax: 020 7211 0523

Email: spectrumpricing@ra.gsi.gov.uk

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 0500

Public Enquiries: 020 7211 0211

Radiocommunications Agency website: www.radio.gov.uk

Out of hours: 020 7215 5110/5600

Textphone for those with hearing impairment: 020 7215 6740

Wireless Telegraphy Act Licence Fees

RA/PN/2001/06