On-Site PBR Paging and Speech or Self-Select PBR Paging Systems Information Sheet

Introduction
The Radiocommunications Agency (RA) has produced this information sheet for those who have little or no knowledge of what on-site radio paging is or where it fits into the radio spectrum.

Moreover, it is designed to clearly explain to existing users and prospective users the licensing requirements and Agency policy for this licence class.

What is on-site radio paging?
On-site radio paging equipment provides radio coverage only within the premises or perimeter of a local site that is completely under the user's control. It will alert and inform and by using the correct type of equipment can communicate with people by means of coded "bleeps", data or speech or a combination of these. Typical on-site radio paging installations are within offices, hospitals, industrial areas and shops.

Below are the systems that are available:
a) Self-Select PBR One-way Paging Systems HF, VHF and UHF.

b) On-site PBR One-way Paging and Speech Systems UHF.

c) On-site PBR Hospital Paging and Emergency Speech Systems.

d) On-site PBR Local Communications Systems.

The different types of radio paging:
Each system provides a service to meet a user’s particular needs and it is hoped that the following notes will help explain the operation of each type.

Self-Select PBR One-way Paging Systems HF and VHF: 26 MHz and 49 MHz – outgoing paging (non-speech) only.

HF and VHF systems operating at 26 MHz and 49 MHz respectively provide an outgoing paging (non-speech) tone and / or numeric and/or alphanumeric messaging service.

Equipment used must comply with IR2003.

Self-Select PBR One-way Paging Systems UHF: 459 MHz – outgoing paging (non-speech) only.

There are two spot frequencies from the above band which have been set aside for one-way, non-speech paging. Systems operating on these frequencies have the same facilities as the 26 and 49 MHz systems.

Equipment used must comply with IR2003.

Applicants for any of the above services should complete application form “RA5” and return it to the following address:

PBS Central Licensing Unit
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
Tel: 020 7211 0200
Fax: 020 7211 0118

E-mail: michael.oliver@ra.gsi.gov.uk

On-site PBR One-way Paging and Speech Systems UHF: 459 MHz – outgoing paging/speech.

One-way paging systems operating in the 459 MHz band provide an outgoing paging tone and/or speech and/or numeric and/or alphanumeric messaging service.

Equipment used must comply with IR2003.

On-site PBR Local Communications Systems UHF/VHF: 459 MHz – outgoing speech/paging with 159, 161 or 164 MHz – speech acknowledgement.

Local communications is a two-way communications system providing the user with a more flexible paging facility. The benefits of this system, compared with the others already mentioned, is that it offers the user the facility to acknowledge an outgoing paging/speech call with a return speech message.

It therefore provides useful two-way speech communication within the user’s site boundary up to a radius of about 1 km.

Equipment used must comply with IR2003.

On-site PBR Hospital Paging and Emergency Speech Systems – outgoing paging/speech on 31 MHz or VHF 49 MHz with return speech at VHF 161 or 164 MHz.

There are specific frequencies within the 31 MHz and 49 MHz bands which have been set aside for hospital use only. This is to prevent interference from or to other equipment operating in a hospital environment.

Outgoing (base transmit) frequencies are available within the 31 and 49 MHz bands for paging and/or speech with return (mobile transmit) speech frequencies available in 161 or 164 MHz bands.

Please note: outgoing and return speech is only permitted for emergency use only.

Equipment used must comply with IR2003.

Applicants for any of the above services should complete application form RA5 and return it to the Agency’s Local Office responsible for their area - please refer to page 4 or information sheet RA 206 for details.

Licensing
Under the terms of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949, it is an offence to install or use radio apparatus without a licence issued by the Secretary Of State for Trade and Industry (except devices specifically exempt from licensing).

A licence is required to operate an on-site radio paging system. Such licences will be issued for systems which are designed and intended to provide coverage only within the premises or perimeter of a local site which is wholly under the applicant’s control. The equipment must be used in accordance with the licence and associated schedule.

Responsibility for obtaining and paying for a licence rests with the user of the system, not with the supplier of the equipment, although suppliers will normally help applicants complete the technical parts of the application form. Applications should be made on form RA5, available from the equipment supplier or the Radiocommun-ications Agency Library and Information Service (details on page 3).

Self-Select PBR One-way Paging Systems

Licensees which operate HF, VHF and UHF paging only equipment (type ‘a’) have the option of changing to any one of the frequencies allocated to these services without informing the Agency. For the full list of channels available refer to page 6.

Interference

In some areas where there is a high density of paging systems, a new service might cause interference to existing users or inhibit the introduction of new radio services. Therefore, it may be necessary for the supplier to carry out on-site compatibility tests before deciding whether a particular paging system may be installed. No protection can be given directly by the Agency from interference radiated by other authorised services, or from industrial scientific and medical equipment.

Licence fees
RA document "RA123", gives all details of the current licence fees for On-site PBR Paging and Speech and Self-Select PBR Paging Systems.

Further information
The On-site Communications Association (OSCA)

OSCA is a trade association formed in 1963 that represents over 80% of the on-site radio paging market. It acts as a liaison between paging manufacturers, paging users and the Agency and is the UK representative in the European Selective Paging Association.

OSCA members are paging equipment
manufacturers and suppliers and are therefore familiar with licensing requirements and radio regulations.

For enquiries about OSCA contact:

Derek Banner
Secretary General
The On-Site Communications Association
25 Shelley Lane
Harefield
Middlesex UB9 6HP

Tel: 01895 473551

Literature
Copies of application forms or specifications referred to in this information sheet may be obtained from the Agency’s Library at the address below:

Information & Library Service
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX

Tel: 020 7211 0502/0505
Fax: 020 7211 0507

Email: library@ra.gsi.gov.uk

For any further information on radio matters please contact the Agency Enquiry Point on:

Tel: 020 7211 0211
Fax: 020 7211 0507

The Agency's Local Offices are listed on page 4. For further information on the Agency's local offices please refer to the information sheet RA206.

Radiocommunications Agency's Local Offices - see map below to check your postcode against one of the RA's Local Offices

Our local staff are mainly engineers and their work takes them out of the office for much of the day. If possible during normal office hours administrative staff will answer the telephone, but at times you may find that your call is taken by an answering machine. You may prefer to write to your local office at the address shown below:

REGION 1 - NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Leeds LS16 5XQ
Tel: 0113 203 0200
Fax: 0113 203 0221

REGION 2 - NORTH WEST ENGLAND

Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Newton Le Willows,
Merseyside WA12 ONP
Tel: 01942 528200
Fax: 01942 528218

REGION 3 - SOUTH & SOUTH WEST ENGLAND

Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Bristol BS99 7LJ
Tel: 0117 959 7200
Fax: 0117 959 7230

REGION 4 - MIDLANDS & EAST ANGLIA

Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Birmingham B32 ITA
Tel: 0121 423 5200
Fax: 0121 423 5232

REGION 5 - LONDON & SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Whyteleafe,
Surrey CR3 0YL
Tel: 020 8645 2200
Fax: 020 8668 2194

REGION 6 - SCOTLAND, WALES NORTHERN IRELAND & ISLE OF MAN

Scotland
Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Falkirk FK1 1XP
Tel: 01324 616200
Fax: 01324 616212

Wales
Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Cardiff CF4 4YW
Tel: 029 2052 4200
Fax: 029 2052 4217

Northern Ireland & Isle of Man
Radiocommunications Agency
PO Box 2500, Belfast BT8 8SA
Tel: 028 9081 0200
Fax: 028 9081 4515

Frequency allocations for On-site paging services in the UK

Relevant publications and performance specifications

Self-Select PBR One-way HF paging

Self-Select PBR One-way VHF paging

Self-Select PBR One-way UHF paging

On-site PBR One-way Paging and Speech UHF

On-site PBR Hospital Paging and Emergency Speech

On-site PBR Local Communications

* 164.200 can be paired with any of base frequencies in groups B & C.

RA 242 (Rev 6) MARCH 2002