Licensing Procedures Manual for Citizen's Band Radio

SECTION A

THE PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL

ADDITIONAL TOPICS

SECTION B

GENERAL INFORMATION ON CITIZENS' BAND (CB) RADIO

SECTION C

LICENCE FEES

SECTION D

HOW LICENCES ARE ISSUED

SECTION E

QUALITY OF SERVICE TARGETS

SECTION F

DISCLAIMER

ANNEX

ANNEX A	RA 246 CB INFORMATION SHEET
ANNEX B	RA 369 CITIZEN' RADIO BAND LICENCE TERMS, PROVISIONS AND LIMITATIONS BOOKLET
ANNEX C	RA 344 ABUSE OF CB RADIO

SECTION A

THE PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL

This manual has been written to identify those areas where the licensing procedures and policies differ from those laid out in the Radiocommunications Agency's Licensing Policy Manual. This guide is intended to complement and supplement the information given in that Manual, and this is available, together with a range of other information, at the Agency's website, located at www.radio.gov.uk

SECTION A

ADDITIONAL TOPICS

Further information on the following topics is available in the Radiocommunications Agency Licensing Policy Manual:

A CB licence consists of a Validation Document and the Licence Terms, Provisions and Limitations Booklet, see (Annex B: RA 369). The Validation Document contains a maximum six-figure licence number, callsign, the licensee's name and (mailing) address, the licence date of issue and the date for renewal.

The Booklet covers applicable areas including apparatus, licence conditions, and general information on using CB radio and the CB code of practice. The Booklet defines the rules of use of the CB radio system.

CB is currently a voice only service, for both hobby and business use, although the transmission of one to one data is under consideration. CB is designed as a short range radio service and is available not only for individual hobby use but for business use, for example by haulage and taxi firms. It is designed to be used without the need for any technical qualifications.

CB frequencies have been agreed internationally. There are two sets of frequencies available for use in the UK: 40 channels in the CEPT (European) bands and 40 channels in a band for use in the UK only. These are listed in the Agency information sheet set out in Annex A: RA 246.

If CB sets are capable of transmitting on any frequencies in the UK bands, and the user wishes to operate the set overseas, the user will need permission from the relevant foreign administration where the equipment is to be taken. Some administrations do not allow equipment that can access UK bands.

It is also advised that permission is sought additionally from foreign administrations for use of the CEPT/EU frequencies abroad, as the R&TTE Directive and the UK implementing regulations (S.I.2000/730) have effectively superseded the previous reciprocal harmonised frequency agreement within CEPT.

CB is a non-protected radio service, which means that it receives a lower priority where interference or abuse cases arise. Priority is given to interference affecting safety of life services, and business use. This does not mean that complaints about interference or abuse are not investigated - they are when time and resources permit.

The Wireless Telegraphy (Content of Transmission) Regulations 1998 (S.I.1988/47) make it illegal to transmit messages that are grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character and offenders will be prosecuted. The Agency information sheet set out in Annex C: RA344 gives more detailed information on what to do if you are subjected to interference or abuse on CB radio.

Only approved radios may be used. For example, the use of SSB (or side band) equipment is prohibited in the UK.

Although it is permitted to use CB for business purposes (for example, contact between a taxi and its office), advertising is not permitted. It should be noted that each CB user would have to have their own licence, irrespective of whether the CB is being used for business purposes or for hobby use.

From 8 April 2000, new CB equipment, which has not previously been placed on the market, must comply with the relevant requirements of the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 (S.I 2000/730) and the related UK Interface Requirements published by the Agency. At present only frequency modulation is permitted.

Licences can be amended if the details (e.g. address) have changed. However, licensees cannot request licence changes to the technical schedules listed in Annex A: RA 246 as they have been agreed at international level.

CB licences cannot be transferred. When a licence is taken out, a call sign is issued which uniquely identifies the licence holder. This call sign is allocated for life, even if the licence lapses.

There is no fee for CB Radio licences for those under the age of 21, or aged 75 or over, but individuals will still need to obtain a licence before they can use the service, and renew that licence annually.

For CB Radio Licensees aged 21 or over, and under 75 years, the annual fee is �15. A new Validation Document is issued each year when the fee has been paid. Although RA is considering the introduction of a harmonised renewal option and part payment for licensees who hold several licences, this policy will not be extended to CB, due to the low value of the licence fee.

Spectrum Pricing is how RA normally arrives at the appropriate fee for radio licences. There are several factors that influence the calculation of the fee. For example, the scarcity of the spectrum to be used, the type of service and the amount of spectrum can all be influencing factors. For CB radio, none of the above factors are relevant, and so CB licences are charged on a cost recovery basis. It is unlikely that significant changes will, in the foreseeable future, be made to the CB radio licence fees.

Licence fees are an annual charge, and payment can be made by cheque or postal order (made payable to the Radio Licensing Centre), direct debit, debit card, credit card, standing order or cash. However, in accordance with the Agency's commitment to complying with the Government's electronic commerce initiative by 2004, the Agency's Specialist Sectors Unit are at the time of writing, seeking to introduce an electronic licensing facility for Citizens' Band Radio licensing.

The Radiocommunications Agency has appointed an external contractor to issue and renew CB Radio Licences. The external contractor is:

CB radio licences have been contracted out because they are easy to issue, and do not require specialist knowledge or co-ordination, and also for more cost-effective issue than under the previous system i.e. applying through the Post office.

The quality of service targets for all licences issued by the RLC are as follows:

SECTION F

DISCLAIMER

This document is designed to provide details of the Agency's licensing and policy procedures relating to CB Radio. However, it should not be taken as giving exact policy in relation to this sector and should be in any event read in conjunction with the Agency's Licensing Policy Manual.

Therefore the Agency accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document.

Revisions to this document will be done periodically or when there is a substantive need to update this document.

Please contact the appropriate business unit directly if you have any queries or concerns, which can be found in Annex B of the Agency's Licensing Policy Manual.