Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (as amended by the Communications Act 2003)

General Notice to all Licensees

On 29 December 2003, the formal powers of the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to grant wireless telegraphy licences under section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (the ‘1949 Act’) transfer to the Office of Communications (“Ofcom”).

Ofcom (and its agents acting on Ofcom’s behalf) will thereafter grant all subsequent wireless telegraphy licences under the Act. All existing licences automatically transfer to Ofcom’s responsibility. Any applications for licences previously sent to the Radiocommunications Agency or any notifications (e.g. change of address) which licensees are required to provide, should henceforth be notified to Ofcom. Contact details are shown on Ofcom’s website www.ofcom.org.uk (and for a short period on the Radiocommunications Agency website www.radio.gov.uk). Ofcom’s address is:

Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HA
Tel 020 7981 3000

The Secretary of State also gives notice under Section 1D(3) of the 1949 Act that the procedures for granting and issuing licences will follow the procedures set out under ‘licensing’ on the Agency’s website. There are different procedures set out by class of licence. Additionally the Frequency Authorisation Plan, also published on the website, shows the frequencies for each licence class and provides links to the licence terms and conditions. Other requirements which must be met before licences can be granted are shown in relevant information sheets for each class. The Wireless Telegraphy (Limitations of Number of Licences Order 2003) Regulation sets out the criteria which operate to limit the number of licences.

Statutory timescales for granting licences are set out in Section 1D of the 1949 Act. In many cases the Secretary of State sets targets for tighter timescales, which are published in the Agency’s annual report. Ofcom has the option to continue having tighter targets and may advise accordingly.

It is proposed that Ofcom will continue to follow the same procedures as far as possible, but subsequently they may from time to time establish and publish new procedures. The publication of licensing procedures will shortly be transferred to Ofcom’s website for information, and the relevant information notices will be updated accordingly.

Issued jointly by the Radiocommunications Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of State, and by Ofcom

December 2003