The Spectrum Management Advisory Group (SMAG) is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body that reports directly to Ministers on strategic spectrum issues.

John Battle MP, Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, announced the establishment of SMAG during second reading of the Wireless Telegraphy Bill on 29 October 1997. The creation of SMAG was, to some extent, a response to industry concerns, expressed during the passage of the Bill, about the application of spectrum pricing. Ministers agreed that it would be appropriate to create an independent advisory NDPB, which would be able to provide an independent input to ministerial decisions on a range of issues affecting the radio spectrum, including spectrum pricing. It was also intended that SMAG would subsume the work of the independent spectrum reviews, which began in the early 1980's with the report of the Merriman Committee and were subsequently carried forward in a series of independent reviews examining the use of different parts of the radio spectrum. The last of these, the Stage 3 Spectrum Review (28-470 MHz) reported in 1994.

The Groups' Terms of Reference are to provide independent, strategic advice on spectrum management policy issues to the responsible DTI Minister and the Radiocommunications Agency. In particular SMAG advises on:

i. the RA's spectrum strategy, major national allocation decisions and the application of spectrum pricing; and

ii. the policy objectives to be pursued in relevant international fora (e.g. ITU, CEPT and ETSI).

Details of members, and their interests, can be found under Members.

The Group recognises that there is a vast range of issues facing the field of spectrum management. Radio continues to be one of the most dynamic business sectors and a key component of the communications infrastructure. It is one of the basic raw materials of the knowledge driven economy, and success in ensuring the availability of quality spectrum will feed innovation and growth, and encourage wealth creation, competitiveness, consumer benefits and jobs.

SMAG has made it a priority to receive presentations from notable experts during their meetings to ensure they are abreast of the latest developments. Their primary role has been to use their collective expertise to further the debate, highlight potential areas for concern and take a forward look. Position Papers have been produced on a number of key issues and sent to Ministers to inform their decision making process