Managing the Airwaves: Public/Private Initiative Will Spread Government Expertise Worldwide

DTI Press Release - 9 June 1998

The formation of a unique Government partnership with private enterprise, ensuring the expertise of the DTI's Radiocommunications Agency can be shared with other organisations around the globe, was announced today by Barbara Roche, Minister for Small Firms, Trade and Industry.

CMG plc, in association with The Radiocommunications Agency (RA), have formed a joint venture company, Radio Spectrum International Consulting Limited (RSIC). This new company will provide spectrum management consulting services to other administrations internationally as well as IT services to the RA.

"The Radiocommunications Agency has long been regarded internationally as a leading centre of expertise in managing spectrum. This joint venture means other countries can benefit from RA knowledge earned through the UK being at the forefront of innovative use of the radio spectrum in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. At the same time, the RA and in turn, its customers, will benefit from the provision of leading edge IT solutions from CMG plc.

"This joint venture is one of the first for the DTI, and is in line with this Government's commitment to public / private partnerships which benefit both government and private enterprise through combining complementary skills and sharing risks, as well as providing better services and better value for money for end users," Mrs. Roche said.

RSIC is a self-standing private sector body, wholly independent of Government and managed by CMG. It will have two divisions: the IT Services Division, providing a comprehensive range of services under contract to the RA (software development, applications management, scientific computing, telephony and desktop services); and the International Business Division, offering spectrum management consultancy services to overseas administrations, with RA providing expert support to RSIC. RSIC will also have an exclusive licence to use certain of the RA's intellectual property rights. The arrangement will run for a minimum of seven years from June 1998.

The RA sought a joint venture partner to provide these services through a procurement advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities in February 1996.

Notes for editors

The Radiocommunications Agency is an executive agency of the Department of Trade and Industry responsible for the management of the UK civil spectrum. This includes representing the UK in radio spectrum management in Europe and internationally; as well as managing access to the radio spectrum, including the issuing of licences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act which raises more than £40 million per year in fees. Other responsibilities include investigating interference and spectrum misuse and enforcing radio usage legislation.

CMG plc is a leading European IT services company providing business information solutions through consultancy systems and services to clients worldwide. Established in 1964, CMG now operates in more than 40 countries from its bases in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Belgium.

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