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This
year – as in recent years – the RA's"Joining In"
tour takes to the road, exchanging news and views with radio users
of all types. But although some aspects will be familiar to those
who have attended roadshow events before, this year promises to
be dramatically different for a number of reasons.
First
and foremost is the huge amount of regulatory change affecting the
industry – not least from the Cave report, the Communications
Bill and the coming of Ofcom. The effect of these will be significant
– the roadshow will explain how.
Then there's
the Agency's growing commitment to consult its customers, which
means that this year's road-show will include more video to bring
issues to life, and more interaction with the audience including
– for the first time – a digital voting system so that
views are not only aired, but quantified!
And finally
there is the plethora of small and not-so-small changes affecting
the management of the spectrum, with e-business, band alignment,
airborne detection systems, and IR 2008 allowing eight PMR users
to share one frequency. There's also a new Agency Chief Executive
– Rolande Anderson, who will be keen to hear your opinions
first-hand.
Most
significant of all
In
any field of endeavour, some years take on a greater significance
than others. For the radio industry – users and suppliers –
2002 could become one of the most significant of all.
In March
Professor Martin Cave submitted his independent Review of Radio
Spectrum Management to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary
of State. Its very existence is evidence that radio has been recognised
as immensely important to the prosperity of the UK economy and the
attainment of the Government's social objectives. Its recommendations
include a selective deregulation of spectrum use, the introduction
of spectrum trading and an administrative charge for public service
access. "The country needs to change radically the way in which
spectrum is allocated," Professor Cave argues.
The draft
Communications Bill was published in May and is expected to be introduced
in Parliament in the autumn, with Royal Assent likely next year.
The objectives are to make the UK the most dynamic and competitive
communications and media market in the world; to give universal
access to high-quality, diverse services; and to safeguard citizens
and consumers. The Bill will also create a new independent statutory
body – Ofcom – which will combine the responsibilities
of the Radiocommunications Agency and four other existing regulators.
Ofcom will be responsible for encouraging the optimal use of the
spectrum in the interests of all, enhancing various aspects of spectrum
management including spectrum trading. Lord Currie was recently
announced as the Chairman of Ofcom, whilst the board and Chief Executives
are expected to be appointed later this year.
In addition,
a new EU Framework for the regulation of electronic communications
was adopted in April this year and will come fully into force in
2003. It will involve some changes to our own licensing procedures
and also sets up new machinery for spectrum management at the European
level. Beyond Europe, work is in hand for the 2003 World Radiocommunication
Conference.
Other
roadshow issues
As
well as these issues, the speakers – Rolande Anderson, Chief
Executive; Mike Goddard, Director of Spectrum and Inter-national
Policy; Hazel Canter, Director of Spectrum Services; and Barry Maxwell,
Director of Customer Services – will cover topics including
e-business, spectrum pricing including licence-exempt, refarming
and band alignment, information disclosure and public access, and
details of the Agency's research activities. There will be video
news from each of the regional offices, with the Regional Manager
joining the other speakers for an open forum before lunch.
During
registration and the coffee and lunch breaks, there will be an opportunity
to tour the exhibition and displays. Demonstrations likely to be
included are the MASTS e-licensing system accessed remotely via
an RLAN, Sitefinder for finding cellular telephone transmitters,
IR 2008 allowing eight PMR users to share one frequency and a mobile
direction-finding system.
How
to "Join in"
The events
begin with coffee and registration at 10am, and end after lunch
at around 2pm. The venues are as follows:
Newport,
Celtic Manor Thursday 10 October
Dunblane, Hilton Hydro Tuesday 15 October
Durham, Ramside Hall Hotel Thursday 17 October
Reading, Madejski Stadium Tuesday 22 October
Bradford, Hanover International Hotel Thursday 24 October
Warrington, De Vere Daresbury Park Hotel Tuesday 29 October
Coventry, Hilton National Thursday 31 October
London, ExCel Tuesday 5 November
Southampton, De Vere Grand Harbour Thursday 7 November
Belfast, Hilton Tuesday 12 November.
To book
– there is no charge – call the event hotline on 020 7720
4411, e-mail details of names and contact details (position, organisation,
address and postcode plus e-mail address) to register@joiningin.org,uk
or register via the web sites www.joiningin.org.uk
or www.radio.gov.uk
Call the
hotline too (020 7720 4411) for details of RA involvement at amateur
and CB events, and specialist exhibitions.
2002 is a
special year for the radio world, which is why it's especially important
that you are one of those "Joining in" |
