More Time for Users to Switch Over to New Handportable Mobile Radio Service

DTI Press Release - 3 December 1998

Use of Short Range Business Radio speech equipment extended until 31 December 2003

Short Range Business Radio (SRBR) licencees will be given an extra two years to help them switch over to a new handportable mobile radio service, the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) announced today.

The RA has received representations from SRBR manufacturers, suppliers and licencees concerned that the previously announced final closure date for the SRBR speech service of 31 December 2001 might not allow sufficient time for users to switch to the new Private Mobile Radio (PMR) 446 service.

The Agency has decided therefore to:

extend the final closure date for use of SRBR speech equipment until 31 December 2003;

continue to issue SRBR licences until 30 September 1999 to give suppliers the opportunity to sell any remaining stocks of SRBR radios; and

waive the fee for SRBR licences once the PMR 446 service is introduced at the end of February 1999, to bring SRBR in line with the new licence exempt service.

PMR 446 radio equipment is a licence exempt short range voice communication system that provides a basic but effective radio service for both business and non business users. Ideal for providing communication over short distances such as within office buildings, factories and building sites, it will replace the existing SRBR speech service.

Notes For Editors

1. The RA announced the forthcoming introduction of the PMR 446 service on 16 October 1998. Ref: P/98/794.

2. PMR 446 is not suitable for safety of life use or for users who need to have access to frequencies at particular locations and times. Only speech transmissions can be made.

3. The move to introduce PMR 446 in the United Kingdom follows the provisional adoption, at the European Radiocommunications Committee (ERC) meeting at Mainz on 29 June - 3 July 1998, of the ERC's decisions that administrations:

(i) set aside the band 446.0 - 446.1 MHz for PMR 446;

(ii) exempt PMR 446 equipment, using frequencies in the 446.0-446.1 MHz band, from individual licensing; and

(iii) allow the free circulation and use of PMR 446 equipment using frequencies in the 446.0 - 446.1 MHz band and complying with ETS 300 296.

4. PMR 446 will be authorised following the final adoption of decisions by the ERC and the approval by Parliament of licence exemption regulations.

5. There are eight 12.5 kHz simplex frequencies for PMR 446. These frequencies are harmonised for use across Europe and the channel centre frequencies are as follows:

446.00625 MHz 446.01875 MHz
446.03125 MHz 446.04375 MHz
446.05625 MHz 446.06875 MHz
446.08125 MHz 446.09375 MHz

6. PMR 446 radio equipment must be hand portable, have an integral antenna, have a maximum ERP of 500 mW and be type approved to the technical specification ETS 300 296.

7. PMR 446 radio equipment may use the above frequencies only. Radio Equipment which can operate on any other frequency must not be used for the PMR 446 service, including SRBR equipment capable of using frequencies in the 461 MHz band.

8. CTCSS or DCS must be used. The CTCSS tones are those set out in Groups A and B of MPT 1306 and the DCS codes in MPT 1381.

9. The use of PMR 446 radio equipment has already been authorised, on a temporary basis, in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man where no SRBR service existed. Short Range Business Radio (SRBR)

10. SRBR is a similar short range communication service to PMR 446 but differs in the following ways.

(i) SRBR is not licence exempt. To use SRBR equipment you must have an SRBR licence.

(ii) SRBR is for business use only.

(iii) In addition to the speech service there is a paging service.

(iv) SRBR equipment can only be used in England, Scotland and Wales. SRBR cannot be used in Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

(v) The speech service uses frequencies in the 461 MHz band and the paging service frequencies in the 49 and 461 MHz bands.

(vi) Speech equipment with removable antennas conforming to ETS 300 086 can be used.

11. A consultation exercise will be held to decide the future of the SRBR paging service.

Interference to existing licensees in 446 0-446 1 MHz band

12. The PMR 446 frequencies are interleaved between simplex on-site PBR frequencies. It is expected that little interference will be caused to users on these frequencies. Licensees who believe they may suffer interference from PMR 446 equipment should contact their Agency Local Licensing Centre.

Further Information

13. If you have any queries about this statement please contact Graham Noyce on 020 7211 0198, by fax on 020 7211 0118, or write to:

PBS Central Licensing Unit
New King's Beam House
22 Upper Ground
London
SE1 9SA

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