Status of Land Mobile Radio Specifications (MPT 1300 Series)

1 Purpose of this information sheet.

This information sheet provides an outline of the type approval and licensing arrangements for each of the Land Mobile Radio specifications (MPT 1300 Series). When an old specification is being superseded by a new one this information sheet can be used to detail the supersession arrangements. It should be stressed however that this information is intended to provide an outline only and you are strongly advised to check with the appropriate contact to confirm that the information shown for type approval and licensing arrangements is correct for your particular situation - not all scenarios can be covered in an information sheet.

2 Why introduce new specifications.

Old specifications are usually replaced to accommodate new technology, new methods of measurement and alterations to the frequency bands. The new specification can either be in the MPT 1300 Series or an ETS (European Telecommunications Standard); but where possible an ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) standard will be used so as to facilitate the harmonisation of radio standards across Europe.

3 Supersession Arrangements.

When an old specification is replaced by another then the new specification is said to have superseded the old specification. There are two main issues to consider when replacing an MPT specification in favour of a new one; these are the Type Approval arrangements and the Licensing arrangements. The usual UK practice (in certain instances this varies to accommodate particular circumstances) is to allow a two year transitional period in which equipment can be type approved against either the old or the new specification. At the end of this transitional period the new specification will supersede the old one and new equipment can only be type approved to the new specification. This applies to all new approvals including variants to equipment approved to the superseded specification.

In general, new licences for equipment type approved to the superseded specification continue to be issued for a further five years after the end of the two year transitional period (i.e. seven years after the adoption of the new specification). After the end of this five year period existing licences may continue to be renewed on the basis that the service does not cause interference and the equipment will be unprotected from interference.

4 Licence exempt services.

In some cases equipment is not required to be licensed as it is subject to Licence Exemption Regulations made by Statutory Instruments (SI). In these cases the equipment can be used provided that it has been type approved against the relevant specification and meets the other criteria relating to its operation as stated in the Exemption Regulations.

5 Pre-MPT 1300 Series Equipment.

Some equipment which was type approved to specifications that existed before the introduction of the MPT 1300 Series is still in circulation. Such equipment can no longer be type approved to the old specifications. In some cases it may continue to be used under current licences or licence exemption but only on the basis that its use is not protected from interference caused by other equipment, and it does not cause interference to other services.

6 How to use this information sheet.

The specifications are listed in number order starting at MPT 1301. For each MPT the number, title and last date for reprinting &/or revision are given. The contact names and telephone numbers are then listed for Radiocommunications Agency staff who are able to assist you with technical enquiries. Where the specification covers several radio services, for example, PMR (Private Mobile Radio) and CBS (Common Base Station), then several contacts are identified. The type approval arrangements for the MPT are then given together with information about any superseding specifications and the transition period. The licensing arrangements are also given and include the general licensing categories that are appropriate to the specification, how long new licences will continue to be issued and arrangements for existing licences. A list of the licensing categories and the relevant licensing contacts are given in Annex A. The section termed additional information covers any extra relevant information.

7 Library Information Service

Copies of all MPT specifications and information sheets are available on a single copy basis free from;

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

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

For further information on other radio matters please contact the Agency’s 24 Hour Telephone Enquiry Service 020 7211 0211.

Information sheets‘RA 108 (Rev 1): List of Specifications for Land Mobile Radio Specifications (MPT 1300 Series)’ and ‘RA 279: List of ETSI Standards for Land Mobile Radio Services (ETSI 300 Series)’ are also available from our Information & Library Service.

Abbreviations used. (Refer to Annex A for the list of licensing categories associated with each of the MPT 1300 series of specifications). .

Top

MPT 1301 - MPT 1323
MPT 1324 - MPT 1353
MPT 1357 - MPT 1384
Annex

RA 275 (On-line revision) November 1999