Limitation of numbers of spectrum licences: second consultation announced

Press Release 10 June 2003

The Radiocommunications Agency has today published a second consultation document on the limitation of numbers of spectrum licences.

This consultation document seeks comments on the draft Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2003 ("the draft Order"). This final public consultation ends on 11 July 2003.

Background

Article 7 of the EC Authorisation Directive requires the UK Government to publish its existing arrangements for limiting the number of spectrum authorisations available. The first "Limitation of Numbers of Spectrum Licences" consultation document, published on 6 May 2003, set out and clarified these arrangements.

Under Clause 161 of the Communications Bill, licence limitations must be published in the form of an Order. The draft Order has been drawn up to meet this requirement; it specifies the uses and frequencies for which the Secretary of State grants only a limited number of wireless telegraphy licences. It will not change the existing licensing regime in any way.

This second consultation seeks comments on the draft Order.

It is possible that the Communications Bill will not receive Royal Assent in time to implement the four EC Directives on electronic communications networks and services on 25 July 2003. In this case, the requirements of the Authorisation Directive would be met by incorporating the terms of the draft Order into the Electronic Communications (Spectrum Use) Regulations 2003. These Regulations would be part of a package of interim measures to ensure that the UK fulfils its EC obligations on 25 July 2003.

Comments on the consultation document

The document is available at www.radio.gov.uk/topics/eudirectives, or by contacting the Agency Library on 020 7211 0502/05.

Comments on any part of the document should be emailed to russell.kent_smith@ra.gsi.gov.uk or posted to the address given in this document.

Press Enquiries: 020 7215 5974/5978
Out of Hours: 020 7215 0160
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 0514
Textphone (for people with hearing impairments): 020 7215 6740
RA website: www.radio.gov.uk
Communications Bill website: www.communicationsbill.gov.uk

Notes for editors

1. The Radiocommunications Agency is an executive agency of the DTI, and is responsible for managing the civil (non-military) radio spectrum in the UK.

2. By the end of this year, the Radiocommunications Agency and all responsibility for regulating the radio spectrum and communications services will become part of Ofcom – the new converged regulator for the communications sector. See the Ofcom transitional website at www.ofcom.org.uk for more details.

RA/PN/2003/07