Limitation of numbers of spectrum licences: consultation announced

6 May 2003

The Radiocommunications Agency has today published a consultation document, "Limitation of Numbers of Spectrum Licences", for comment.

The document clarifies existing arrangements for limiting the number of spectrum authorisations available; this will help the UK to implement the new EU Directives on electronic communication, and particularly their requirement for greater transparency in arrangements for authorising spectrum use. The document does not aim to change current practices in any way.

Background

The new Directives establish a framework for regulating electronic communications networks, services and associated facilities throughout the European Union. All Member States must implement the Directives at midnight on 24 July 2003.

A central theme of the Directives is the requirement on Member States to be more transparent about arrangements for using radio frequencies. For example, Member States must publish the limitations imposed on the use of radio frequencies.

The document sets out to publish this information for civil spectrum in the UK. It explains how and why the Agency currently limits the use of radio frequencies, and sets out the arrangements needed to implement Article 7 of the Authorisation Directive (as intended to be enacted through Clause 161 of the Communications Bill). This requires the Regulator in each Member State to consult all interested parties, including users and consumers, giving them the chance to express their views on any limitation of numbers imposed on the use of a radio frequency that is expected to be available on or after 25 July 2003. In the UK, the Secretary of State (i.e. the Agency) is currently the Regulator, but it is proposed that this function will switch to Ofcom in late 2003.

Comments on the document

The document is available at www.radio.gov.uk/topics/eudirectives, or by contacting the Agency Library on 020 7211 0202/05.

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

Press Enquiries: 020 7215 5974/5978
Out of Hours: 020 7215 0160
Public Enquiries: 020 7211 0075
Textphone (for people with hearing impairments): 020 7215 6740
RA website: www.radio.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 responsibilty 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.

3. As mentioned above, it is proposed that limitations on authorised spectrum use will be made by Ofcom as an order under Clause 161 of the Communications Bill (which is currently going through its legislative process). The first order will be made by the Secretary of State and is intended to come into force on the 25 July 2003.

RA/PN/2003/06