Radio Economics

Preface

Radiocommunications are transforming the way we communicate for business and leisure. The success of the mobile telephone is just one example. Exploitation of radio technology is central to making the UK the most dynamic and competitive market in the world for communications.

Radio spectrum is a finite resource and a raw material of considerable value to the economy. It is the Radiocommunications Agency's task to manage this asset in the best interest of the UK. Economic measures of the size and distribution of the benefits derived from spectrum are an important tool to help the Agency make better-informed decisions about the management of this important resource.

The Agency leads the way internationally in the development of such measures. The Economic Impact Study that the Agency is now publishing shows the RA's latest estimate of the economic benefits of the radio spectrum to operators, those who provide radio services as well as to the private individuals and companies who use radio. Benefits to these people were an estimated £20 billion in 2000. The estimate, which is a lower bound since it excludes some areas of radio, demonstrates the sizeable benefits of radio and the importance of its effective management.

Estimated benefits are calculated using financial and economic data and the results of five user surveys. The text of the survey reports can be found on this web site. These surveys cover:

	TV and Radio Broadcasting
	Cellular Mobile and Paging
	Amateur Radio and Citizen's Band Radio
	Private Business Radio
	Maritime and Aviation

As part of our policy of open government, the methodology used in these surveys was the subject of an academic seminar held at the DTI Conference Centre on 15 February 2001. The presentation slides and other material from this seminar can also be found on this site.

I hope that you will find the Economic Impact Study and its supporting material of interest. The Agency would be interested in any comments you may have on the methodology of the study or its implications. Please email radio.economics@ra.gsi.gov.uk with any comments you wish to be posted on the bulletin board.

David Hendon
Chief Executive
Radiocommunications Agency

February 2001

	The Economic Impact of Radio, 2002 Update
	Economic Impact Study
	Seminar Programme (15 February 2001)
	Survey Reports

Publications

	Economic Impact Study (The Economic Impact of Radio) - 2000
	Economic Impact of the Radio Spectrum in the UK - 1995 / 1996