FLATCO – no more paper?

Press Release - 26th October 2001

The Radiocommunications Agency has today launched e-Flatco.

e-Flatco is an updated, online version of the Fixed Links And Transportable Earth Station Co-Ordination tool (FLATCO) used by the Radiocommunications Agency. FLATCO is used to grant or refuse authorisation to transmit from a particular location in response to applications from the satellite news-gathering and related industries. The e-Flatco system offers this rapid site-clearance facility online, enabling customers to make applications without submitting a fax or letter. E-Flatco demonstrates the Radiocommunications Agency’s commitment to making its services available online. If it is impossible for clearance to be granted immediately, the Agency will continue to offer the current service which allows applicants to contact us directly.

The requirements for the system were developed with the close co-operation of the Civil Aviation Authority and followed full consultation with the satellite news-gathering industry during open-forum meetings. As a result, the regulation and clearance of transportable earth station transmissions has been made quicker, simpler and more efficient.

Announcing the launch of e-Flatco, David Hendon, Chief Executive of the Radiocommunications Agency, said:

"e-Flatco represents a significant step towards the provision of Government services online, and is the first of a number of similar, visionary products which will be offered by the Radiocommunications Agency. We are grateful for the support and co-operation of our strategic partners in this enterprise which embodies all of the benefits which joined-up Government and electronic service provision can bring to all stakeholders in this rapidly-expanding industry".

e-Flatco can be found at the Radiocommunications Agency’s website at: www.radio.gov.uk/topics/ebusiness/online-index.htm, where you will also find further information about this service and about the work of the Radiocommunications Agency.

Notes for editors

1. The Radiocommunications Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, responsible for licensing civil use of the radio spectrum in the UK.
2. FLATCO is a site-clearance tool which allows satellite news gatherers and other operators to make temporary transmissions using registered transportable earth stations (TESs), and minimises the risk of interference to terrestrial fixed links and sensitive sites from TES transmissions.

Press Enquiries: 020 7211 0500

Public Enquiries: 020 7211 0088

Radiocommunications Agency website: www.radio.gov.uk

Out of hours: 020 7215 5110/5600

Textphone for those with hearing impairment: 020 7215 6740

RA/PN/2001/13