Information Sheet on Private Business Radio (PBR) Installation Requirements |
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This information sheet has been produced to inform PBR operators and dealers of the importance of ensuring that radio equipment is installed in accordance with the licence schedule.
Failure to install radio to meet the licence is an offence under Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Acts 1949 & 1998. Installer/suppliers of PBR equipment should be aware that they may commit an offence, if they install and/or make available for unauthorised use radio apparatus not in accordance with a licence schedule. Installers/suppliers should therefore read the provisions of the licence schedule.
The Agency has a network of local offices across the UK. The local staff deal with all aspects of civil radio use within their area and aim to ensure that authorised users are able to operate without undue interference. One way in which the staff achieve this aim is by undertaking regular inspections of PBR installations. The staff are always ready to help and advise customers where changes to an installation are required to bring it within licence conditions. However, failure to heed such advice, or repeated breaches of licence conditions, may result in a prosecution being brought against the operator and/or installer. The maximum penalty on summary conviction is a fine of £5,000 and/or 6 months' imprisonment. On conviction on indictment the maximum penalty is an unlimited fine and/or 2 years' imprisonment. In both instances the Courts can order the apparatus used in the offence to be forfeited.
The Agency recognises that some discrepancies can be caused by circumstances outside the operator's control. However, it is the operator's responsibility to ensure that any deviations once identified, are corrected as quickly as possible.
The main discrepancies that local Agency staff find during inspections are excess power, non-approved equipment, operation on incorrect frequency and unauthorised move of base station from the site shown in the schedule.
As frequencies are shared it is essential that only the power level shown on the licence schedule should be used. Using a higher level of power may cause undue interference to other licensed 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 below for contact details).
It is the licensee's responsibility to ensure that the system meets these requirements and complies with the technical perimeters detailed in the licence 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.
If it is desired to make changes to the mobile radio system which would require alterations to any of the details contained in the schedule then written authority to make those changes must be obtained before they are implemented.
One way in which mobile radio operators can attempt to ensure that apparatus is correctly installed is to employ a dealer who is registered on the Radio Quality Assurance Scheme (RQAS). This is a quality system to a recognised standard, built around the International Standard BS EN ISO 9000, which is aimed specifically at the mobile radio industry.
The RQAS is an industry run scheme which issues guidance notes covering various radio activities, including installation, maintenance and repair of mobile radio station. These guidance notes themselves refer to additional Codes of Practice or specifications (eg Agency performance specifications). By adopting such quality systems a radio dealer ensures that there is a procedure to identify and correct customers' problems. Registration to the scheme by a dealer shows the trade and other organisations that there is a commitment to providing a high quality service to all customers.
Information Sheets providing further details on the operation of the RQAS scheme are obtainable from:
The Information and Library Service
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
Tel: 020 7211 0502 or 0505
Information about licence requirements can be obtained from your relevant local office or:
RA2/Private Business Systems Section
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
Tel: 020 7211 0192 or 0198
| RA 223 (Rev 5) January 2000 |
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