Removal of Link Between RQAS and Short Term Hire Industry

Removal of Link Between RQAS and Short Term Hire Industry - Announcement

The Radiocommunications Agency wishes to inform all holders of the Private Business Radio Suppliers licence, that it will, with effect from 1 January 2001, end the current linkage between the Radio Quality Assurance Scheme (RQAS) and access to Short Term Hire channels, currently designated as schedule B frequencies. Additionally with effect from 15 June this year, it is no longer necessary to notify the Agency of individual use of Short Term Hire channels apart from some events involving the large scale use of radio.

The ending of the link between RQAS and access to schedule B frequencies is a result of a consultation carried out by the Agency with Short Term Hire licensees at the end of last year. This consultation invited views on the possible ending of the linkage based on the findings of an initial review, which indicated that that there was no longer any direct benefit arising from the RQAS link with Short Term Hire and that the Industry was now operating within the boundaries of the licence conditions.

Consultation findings

Some 12% of the total number of Short Term Hire licensees responded to this consultation. These licensees showed almost unanimous approval for the removal of notification of Short Term Hire use (apart from at large events). Further findings are that many within the Short Term Hire Industry:

agreed with the initial review, indicating that the RQAS link should be removed
believed that the cost and resource implications of quality accreditation weighed unfairly against smaller businesses
thought that the gaining of quality accreditation and its link with the allocation of radio spectrum acted in a discriminatory manner against non-RQAS accredited organisations
saw no automatic link between the attainment of quality accreditation and final quality of service
believed that current frequency sharing arrangements, predicated on RQAS accreditation, did not ensure maximum spectrum efficiency

A smaller number of licensees:

continued in their firm belief that the attainment of quality standard BS EN ISO 9000 had positive benefits for their organisations and the Short Term Hire Industry in general
that the cost of the necessary accreditation were falling and no longer constituted a barrier for organisations
believed that the removal of the quality link would lead to a re-emergence of problems within the industry

Further consultation

In arriving at its decision to formally end the link with effect from 1 January 2001, the Agency is mindful of the need to address some concern on the future conduct of the industry. The Agency is therefore, entering a second phase of consultation with licensees in order to determine the licensing products that may be introduced following the removal of the link to RQAS.

The consultation paper indicates the main features of a new approach to which you are invited to give your comments.

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Removal of Link Between RQAS and Short Term Hire Industry - Announcement

July 1999