Technical Frequency Assignment Criteria for Television and Sound Broadcasting

1. Introduction
This information sheet outlines the procedures for the national clearance and international co-ordination of frequencies used by television and sound broadcast transmitters in the UK.

It also explains why these procedures are detailed and can be lengthy; and provides an understanding of the respective roles of the Radiocommunications Agency, the Radio Authority, the Independent Television Commission (ITC), the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, and (in some circumstances) the BBC.

This information sheet is aimed at:

applicants for radio or television broadcasting stations who are preparing a licence bid to the Radio Authority or the ITC; and

existing licensees of the Radio Authority and the ITC who are applying for a re-advertised licence or planning to make changes to their transmission arrangements.

(Please note that different procedures apply to Restricted Service Licences, issued by the Radio Authority and the ITC for sound and television broadcast transmissions on a restricted basis. These are not covered in this information sheet.)

In the case of independent radio, we suggest that you read this information sheet in conjunction with the Radio Authority's publications 'Coverage: Planning Policy, Definitions and Assessment' and 'Notes on Approval Procedures for Sites and Frequencies'.

It is also important to understand that the BBC, the ITC and the Radio Authority - not the Agency - are responsible for the planning of their respective service areas.

2. Frequencies

Assignments for analogue and digital television transmission are made in the UHF band (470 to 854 MHz).

Assignments for VHF (Band II) sound broadcasting frequency modulated (FM) services are made in the 87.5 to 108 MHz band.

Frequencies for medium wave (MF) amplitude modulated (AM) transmissions are assigned in the 526.5 to 1606.5 kHz band.

Assignments for digital radio are made in UHF Band III (217.5 to 230 MHz).

3. Clearance for the use of frequencies

All sound broadcast transmissions must be licensed by the Agency under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. This requires that proposed assignments are cleared for use in accordance with internationally agreed transmission characteristics. The frequency co-ordination process includes assessing the effect of potential interference with other broadcast assignments in the band, and with adjacent-band services.

Aeronautical navigation and communication services sometimes cause difficulties, as they are accommodated in the band immediately above 108 MHz; safety-of-life considerations require careful assessment of any possible interference from the Band II FM broadcast services.

The first stage in planning assignments is to ensure efficient use of the spectrum and compatibility with other UK broadcast services. The BBC, the ITC and the Radio Authority submit proposed assignments with planned coverage areas for their respective services, for technical approval by the UK Radio Assignment and Co-ordination Group (RACG) or the Television Planning Group (TPG).

The RACG and the TPG meet as required. Meetings are chaired by the Agency, the BBC, the ITC or the Radio Authority. The Department for Culture, Media & Sport, which has overall responsibility for Government broadcasting policy, also attends.

For Band II services only, the next stage is to check for aeronautical compatibility, consulting the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

All proposals for television and sound assignments must then obtain national clearances. This involves consulting many other users of the radio spectrum, to ensure that the proposed transmission will not interfere with other radio services.

International co-ordination is also necessary. This involves foreign administrations and ensures that the proposed assignment is in accordance with international agreements - specifically, that it will not cause unacceptable interference to services overseas.

4. Changes to assignments

Transmission characteristics are precisely defined in terms of location, site and antenna heights, radiated power, antenna radiation pattern and polarisation of the radiated wave. Any significant change in any of these parameters usually requires the assignment to be co-ordinated again. The process is lengthy, and international co-ordination depends on the co-operation of overseas administrations, which can be expected to respond only in the timescales stipulated in international agreements.

For Band II, the complete process should normally take no more than six months if the assignments are straightforward. However, for MF and UHF assignments it can take up to two years.

Although operation on a temporary and non-interference basis within a shorter timescale may be authorised in certain circumstances, it cannot be assumed that this will be possible. Applicants should therefore note the possibility of long delays in obtaining approval for changes in clearing frequency assignments. (These include delays arising from a change in location of the transmitting site.)

5. Service to licensees

The Agency continually seeks to improve the quality of its service to sound and television broadcasting licensees. With this objective in mind, it holds frequent meetings with the Radio Authority, the ITC, the BBC, the Commercial Radio Companies Association and the Community Media Association.

If you are an existing or potential independent broadcaster and you wish to comment on the Agency's co-ordination and clearance work, please direct it to whichever of the above bodies you feel to be most appropriate. The Agency will of course respond to written comments from any individual, whether broadcaster or not. However, comments will carry more weight if they are discussed within the appropriate sector organisation and gain the support of that organisation.

6. Further information

You may find the following sources of information useful:

Mr M Thomas
Head of Engineering
Radio Authority
14 Great Queen Street
London WC2B 5DG

Tel: 020 7430 2724
Fax: 020 7405 7062

Commercial Radio Companies Association (CRCA)
77 Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 5DU
Website: www.crca.co.uk

Mr S Buckley
Director
Community Media Association
The Media Centre
15 Paternoster Row
Sheffield S1 2BX

Tel: 0114 2795219
Fax: 0114 2798976

Dr Gary Tonge
Director of Technology
ITC
33 Foley Street
London W1W 7TL

Tel: 020 7235 3000
Fax: 020 7306 7800
Website: www.itc.org.uk

For information on this subject from the Agency, please contact:

Mr D Toman
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX

Tel: 020 7211 0336
Fax: 020 7211 0332
Further copies of this and the Agency's other information sheets are available on our website (www.radio.gov.uk) or from:

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

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

For general enquiries about the Radiocommunications Agency's work, please call our Enquiry Point on 020 7211 0211.

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RA 244 (Rev 4) June 2003