Private Business Radio UK General licence

Introduction

In July 2002 the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) introduced the PBR UK General Licence to replace the PMR (Standard) UK General Licence. The new licence is therefore the only one now available to new applicants intending to provide UK General radio services.

The guidance contained in this information sheet relates only to the PBR UK General Licence. Some PMR (Standard) UK General licensees use frequencies that are not available under the new licence, and may continue to do so under their existing licence until 2006. Customers still using this older type of licence should refer to their licence documents for terms and conditions of use.

What is UK General?

The PBR UK General Licence allows customers to use hand-portable or mobile radio equipment anywhere within the UK without the need to inform RA. The licence for this service has been designed to allow customers access to one or more of fifteen frequencies spread across four PMR bands. As this is a "go-anywhere" type of service, the use of base stations is not permitted unless prior authorisation has been obtained from RA. There is no limitation on the number of sites where a licensee can use radios covered by the UK General licence, or on the duration of use at any location. The maximum permitted effective radiated power of equipment used under this licence is 5 watts.

How much does it cost?

The licence fee for this product is £60 every three years, irrespective of the number of mobiles in use. Due to the low cost of this licence the option to apply for a shorter 'fixed term' period is not available.

What channels are available?

There are fifteen simplex channels available for use with this service. They are:

Please note that these frequencies may only be used in simplex mode.

Licensees will also be authorised to use any one of the 32 CTCSS tones and/or 52 DCS codes currently available to PMR services. A list of these tones and codes is provided on the licence schedule.

Further information

For further information on any aspect of the UK General licence, as well as on all other types of PBR licences, please contact your Agency Local Licensing Centre. The addresses, phone and fax numbers are listed in information sheet RA 206 which is available online at www.radio.gov.uk or from the RA library at:

The Library and Information Service
Radiocommunications Agency
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
Tel 020 7211 0502/0505
Fax 020 7211 0507

RA 412 July 2002