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Future Access to Radio Spectrum for PBR Short Term Hire - Consultation with the Short Term Hire Industry |
1. Earlier Consultation
Following earlier consultation with holders of the Private Business Radio Suppliers licence, the Agency will with effect from 1 January 2001 end the current linkage between the Radio Quality Assurance Scheme (RQAS) and access to schedule B Short Term Hire frequencies. Details of the earlier consultation are contained here.
The consultation showed that there was concern from some licensees that the formal removal of a link between accredited quality and access to radio spectrum, could lead to a return to malpractice within the Short Term Hire Industry. The Agency wishes, therefore, to consult, with all Short Term Hire licensees on a future Short Term Hire licence regime which would exist following the removal of the RQAS/STH link.
2. The Proposal
The Agency proposes that all channels currently contained in schedules A and B of the PBR Suppliers licence, would be combined into a new single group, with most frequencies subsequently available to all, regardless of the achievement of quality accreditation. The Agency wishes to receive comment on the possible creation of two new licence products from the combined channel group allowing greater all-round spectrum access to all licensees, as shown below:
Product A, would contain a wider range of frequencies than that currently enjoyed by those PBR Suppliers licensees who are only able to use schedule A frequencies, and would be intended for general use.
Product B, would be formed from some of the new total number of channels available (using the least number of channels necessary to permit the use of efficient technology). This would enable spectrum to be dedicated to the application and the development of technically efficient technologies within the Short Term Hire environment, and is intended for use by organisations able to offer spectrum efficient solutions for events, where radio use is required on a large scale.
The proposal, moves away from the current regime which allows access to spectrum according to whether or not organisations have obtained the required quality accreditation to one where access to spectrum is open to all organisations according to their business need. All licensees will be expected, as now, to have the required competence necessary to check radio installations in accordance with Technical Specification MPT 1368, and be supported by suitable test equipment. The Agency would particularly welcome views of licensees on the applicability of the following technologies for product B and the number and mix of channels (dual or single) considered necessary to carry out the following technologies:
The characteristics of the new regime are shown in the table below:
3. Characteristics of new PBR Suppliers licence products
| Product A | Product B |
| Part of a new PBR Suppliers licence | Part of a new PBR Suppliers licence |
| Flat rate fee (£200)1 | Flat rate fee (£2,000)1 |
| Fully protected service in accordance with Agency published quality of service targets | Fully protected service in accordance with Agency published quality of service targets |
| Code of practice, relating to properly installed and maintained equipment (MPT 1368) | Code of practice, relating to properly installed and maintained equipment (MPT 1368) |
| General notification of use not required but mandatory for large events | Strict time limit for hire, plus notification for large events |
| Entry level STH, intended for organisations where STH is only part of many commercial radio activities | Higher segment of radio market, intended for high volume STH business where hire of radio is the primary commercial function |
| Access to all channels currently contained within PBR Suppliers licence schedules A & B (less small number allocated to product B) | Small number of channels (to be defined following this consultation) |
| Existing technology will apply | Spectrum to be dedicated to the use of new spectrum efficient technology; e.g. trunking, narrow-band or data transmission |
| 1 Estimate of fees based on current spectrum allocation and an estimated prospective number of licensees. Fees would need to be reviewed according to total number of channels set-aside and take-up of both licence products |
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4. Your views
Licensees are requested to state whether they:
5. Please send your comments by 30 September 1999 to:
David Thomas
Radiocommunications Agency
Private Business Systems Section
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
e-mail dave.thomas@ra.gsi.gov.uk
July 1999 |
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