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Private Business Radio Speech and Data Systems Licence Guidance Notes |
| IMPORTANT – Please note that the Radiocommunications Agency intends to embark on a major programme of frequency changes in the 450-470 MHz band. Customers using or intending to use this band are strongly advised to read information sheet RA410 for further information. |
and should be read when completing the application forms RA 1 (for new licences) and RA 1A (for amending or adding stations to existing licences).
A Private Business Radio (PBR) service is a radio system used to pass messages to, from or between mobile units as an aid to conducting business. It is solely for business use and is not intended to be used for personal communications or in connection with hobby or leisure activities. Other licence categories (e.g. CB radio) cater for this type of facility and applications for non-commercial use will be refused by the Agency.
The On-site PBR Speech and Data Systems licence is for systems that operate in a limited area normally up to 3 km in radius from a specified location. An On-site PBR speech and data system has either a base station for communicating with mobile stations or just mobile stations for communicating directly with each other. Only one radio system per on-site coverage area can be licensed. Speech systems for religious observance purposes are licensed by the On-site PBR licence (see On-site Religious Observance Service below).
The Wide Area PBR Speech and Data Systems licence is for systems operating more than 3 km and typically up to 30km in radius from a specified location. A wide area PBR speech and data system has a base station for communicating with mobile stations. Additional base stations can be applied for to improve coverage within the service area.
The National and Regional PBR licence is for national and regional exclusive speech and data systems. A national system provides coverage throughout the United Kingdom and a regional system provides coverage throughout one or more, but not all, of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Any number of base stations or operating sites can be licensed provided they are within the national or regional coverage area.
The PMR (Standard) licence is for UK General speech systems that operate anywhere in the United Kingdom provided the Agency has been notified 14 days in advance of the intended use. A UK General system has either hand-portable or mobile radios. Base stations are not permitted. If use in any one location is planned for more than one year, an appropriate alternative PBR licence should be applied for. Any number of operating sites can be licensed.
Due to the shortage of available channels, it is not possible to cater for radio services operated for personal reasons or to assist in the pursuit of leisure activities. For the same reason, users may have to share a channel with other users operating in the same service area. However, when assigning channels, the Agency looks at the intended use of the service and for some types of use, will avoid, as far as possible, making you share in your immediate service area. You should note too that it may be necessary to change the channel(s) assigned to your service.
If your radio service has a base station, its effective communication range is largely governed by the antenna height. In general, the lower the height of the base station antenna, the smaller the range. However, as an antenna installed too high for its required range can give rise to excessive interference, the Agency may place limits upon the antenna height to ensure that it is consistent with providing only the required service area.
The use of radiating cables or antennas inside buildings is recommended. If an outside antenna has to be used because of the characteristics of the site, the Agency would normally expect the height of the antenna to be less than 10 metres above ground level.
Most wide area services have antennas less than 30 metres above ground level. If the range achieved with such an antenna is insufficient, additional base stations or a higher antenna may be required. A higher antenna will make an assignment of a channel more complicated and the Agency may limit the effective radiated power (ERP) of the installation.
It is current Agency policy that the typical coverage area for an On-site PBR system is normally up to 3km and for Shared Wide Area PBR systems coverage areas are typically up to 30km.
The Agency is required to ensure good spectrum management practice and in doing this the Agency normally assigns base ERP levels of 2W for on-site systems and 10W for shared wide area systems. This is because appropriate ERP levels allow greater frequency re-use and more efficient use of the radio spectrum. Sometimes applicants may require a higher ERP level in order to provide satisfactory coverage of their business area. In such cases increases in ERP up to a maximum of 5W for on-site and 25W for wide-area systems may be acceptable. Such cases will be considered on a case by case basis with consideration being given to any possible impact on existing users.
All equipment used must comply with the United Kingdom Radio Interface Requirement published by the Radiocommunications Agency in accordance with Article 4.1 of Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE) and the mutual recognition of their conformity. Equipment which was first placed on the market before 8 April 2000, must meet a current and relevant type approval specification, details of which are contained in information sheet RA108. available from our Library and Information Service (see page 4 for contact details).
It is the licensee's responsibility to ensure that the system meets these requirements and complies with the technical parameters detailed in the schedules. The licensee must be capable of providing acceptable documentary evidence, on request within 28 days, for all or any part of the system to a representative of the Secretary Of State for Trade and Industry.
In its simplest form a PBR service provides communication solely in the form of speech. Signalling improves a PBR service by providing some of the operator functions automatically, such as identifying a user or providing status information. It can also ease channel sharing problems. The preferred forms of signalling are:
CTCSS uses a sub-audible tone which is operated continuously during speech operation to keep radios quiet when receiving unwanted transmissions from co-channel sharers. (Code of Practice MPT1306)
DCS is similar to CTCSS except it uses a digital code in place of a continuous sub-audible tone. (Code of Practice MPT1381)
Licences are not transferable and cannot be taken over. However, the radio systems and frequencies which make up the licence can be taken over. To takeover an existing radio system you must submit an application form RA1 together with correct fee if known and enclose a letter of consent from the old licensee agreeing to the takeover. In the case of partnerships all named partners must give their consent. For more detailed information and guidance on takeovers see information sheet RA205.
A new licence is not required when a licensee changes their name, although a revised licence and schedule(s) are issued. If a public or other limited company changes its name, its company registration number will remain the same. If the number has changed it is likely to be a takeover. When a public or limited company changes its name, it must supply a copy of the change of name certificate issued by Companies House.
The On-site Religious Observance Radio Service permits the transmission of one-way (base station to receivers) speech messages for religious observance and call to prayer purposes. Messages must not exceed ten minutes and follow on messages must not take place until a period four times the duration of the previous message has taken place. The permitted coverage area for the service will normally be up to 3 km from the base station, but wider coverage areas will be considered. The service uses dedicated channels in the 454 MHz band. Transmitting equipment must comply with the Interface Requirement IR 2001. Religious observance systems are licensed by the On-site PBR licence.
New licensees in the 450-470 MHz band will be informed in detail about the realignment of the band shortly after their licence is issued.
From the beginning of 2005 the 450-470 MHz band will be realigned to configure with that of our European neighbours.
This process of realignment will begin in January 2005 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is scheduled to take place in a rolling programme lasting several years.
The realignment in Scotland will begin two years later, in 2007.
The realignment of frequencies will require the majority of licensees to adjust or replace their existing equipment.
There is no intention to remove users from the band but to simply change their operational frequency or frequencies. All licensees who so wish will be reallocated frequencies within the 450-470 MHz band.
The Radiocommunications Agency will notify all licensees individually of their new frequency or frequencies and the date upon which this change will be implemented. The intention will be to give six months notice of the date when the change has to be implemented.
Your licence will be issued subject to the following requirements. Please read them carefully.
Other facilities are not permitted unless specifically authorised in the licence.
For further information on PBR licences contact your Agency Local Licensing Centre. The addresses, phone and fax numbers of the Agency's Local Licensing Centres are listed in the information sheets RA123 and RA206, which are available from the Agency's Library (see below).
You can also obtain information and advice about the installation of PBR systems from the manufacturers and suppliers of the radio equipment.
The Radiocommunications Agency has produced a range of information sheets, general publications, licence application forms and guidance notes, concerning the use of the radio spectrum. These publications, unless otherwise stated, are available free of charge on a single copy basis and may be obtained from:
The Library and Information Service
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SXTel: 020 7211 0502/0505
Fax: 020 7211 0507E-mail: library@ra.gsi.gov.uk
| RA
126 (Rev 8) June 2002 |
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