Licensing Procedures Manual for Public Wirless Network Unit

THE PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL

SECTION A

CHAPTER 1

This manual is aimed to provide details of the Radiocommunications Agency's licensing and policy procedures relating to the Public Wireless Networks Unit (PWNU).

This manual, sets out the policy and procedures followed by the Agency. It is available from:

Information and Library Service
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SX

The Public Wireless Networks Unit (PWN) handles applications and licences for companies providing commercial radio-based services to third parties.

PWN's mission is to promote and facilitate the successful development of public network services. The Unit participates fully in all relevant technical regulations fora charged with developing spectrum allocations, technical standardisation, sharing and compatibility studies and associated regulatory and licensing policy work. The public wireless sector makes a significant contribution to the UK economy, representing the most dynamic sector of the radiocommunications market.

Determination, through consultation as appropriate, of spectrum policy for public telecommunications sectors;

The planning and award of spectrum set aside for public wireless networks, taking into account engineering design, regulatory and economic factors (including convergence), with a view to obtaining optimum spectrum and economic use;

Develop policy on 3G expansion spectrum and 2G re-farming;
Development of spectrum policy for public broadband telecommunications;
Promotion and protection of UK interests in international fora;
Development of spectrum management tools;
The development of equipment standards that promote spectrum management objectives;
Wireless Telegraphy licensing policy for PWN radiocommunication services;
The identification of customer service needs (i.e. demand studies) and the management of customer expectations;
To develop and negotiate international co-ordination agreements, e.g. UMTS and satellite bi-and multi-lateral agreements;
To maintain and further develop expertise in radio planning techniques;
To lead for the Agency in dealings with the major public network operators;
To develop policy on the implementation/impact of convergence on PWN services;
Support the spectrum requirements for the Mobile Satellite Services industry at European and International fora;
Co-ordinate Radio Navigation Satellite Service frequency management issues.

Further information on the following topics is available in the Radiocommunications Agency Licensing Policy Manual:

Information and Library Service
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SX

A mobile phone is a wireless version of a fixed telephone that is connected to the public phone network. Four UK operators are licensed to operate the digital technology known as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM): Orange, O2, T-Mobile, and Vodafone.

GSM was developed to improve the quality and the flexibility of mobile phone services and to standardise the technology needed to allow mobile phones to make and receive calls when the user is travelling abroad. GSM has evolved to offer many advanced technical features that are used to support a wide portfolio of services. The key advantages that GSM has over the previous analogue services are better speech quality, confidentiality, built-in PIN (Personal Identity Number), security, and the option of international roaming, Short Message Service 'texting' and data services.

The following frequencies are currently licensed for second-generation cellular telephony:

The four operators have given their agreement to publication of the specific frequencies in use by their systems. These may be found at www.ero.dk under Frequency Plans and then GSM Spectrum.

The Interface Requirement relevant to Public Cellular Radiotelephone Services is IR 2014. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

Wireless Telegraphy Act licences for Second Generation Cellular services are allocated through a public consultation process that uses either an award system based on comparative selection or alternatively an auction process. Licences are renewable annually. All available spectrum for second generation cellular networks is currently allocated.

The annual fees for the above services are detailed in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. Licence fee details are also shown in document RA2 that is available on the Agency's website.

In the last two years, the Agency has become aware of devices being marketed around the world able to block mobile phone calls. The equipment transmits radio signals, which prevent communications between cellular handsets and cellular base stations.

It is illegal to install or use these devices in the UK. Use of these devices would constitute an offence contrary to sections 1 (unlicensed use) and 13 (deliberate interference) of the Wireless Telegraphy 1949 Act. Any outlets marketing such devices in the UK may be prosecuted for inciting the public to commit offences.

The cellular operators are licensed to provide a mobile telephone service throughout the UK. Cellular phones are used for a variety of business and public applications and cellular customers expect to be able to make and receive telephone calls within the coverage areas provided by the operators. The Agency will take all necessary steps to ensure that Cellphone Jammers are not used in the UK.

Products are available that 'twinkle' when attached or placed in close proximity to a mobile phone. These products contain one or more Light Emitting Diodes (LED's) that illuminate when the mobile is transmitting. Measurements conducted by RA, and also by European operators, have shown that these devices have the potential to cause interference to the cellular networks and other users of the radio spectrum. In addition, the mobile phones themselves could experience loss of communications range and the phone battery may need to be charged more frequently. Radio equipment components, such as twinkling accessories, are subject to the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE) Regulations 2000 SI No 730. These regulations make it an offence to place on the market radio equipment and components, which seriously degrade radio communications when, used.

Furthermore, if a device affects the radio characteristics of the mobile phone to such an extent that it is no longer technically compliant, the mobile phone is rendered illegal. Its continued use would therefore be an offence contrary to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. The Agency recognises that individual members of the public cannot be expected to understand the technical or legal ramifications of what the public would see as the use of a simple accessory. However, it is not unreasonable for customers to expect that those in business should not be promoting products that cannot be legally used. The Agency shares this view. For these reasons the Agency will not hesitate to take enforcement action against retailers who place products on the market in contravention of the RTTE Regulations, which can involve seizure of stock and prosecution.

Any change in configuration of radio transmitting equipment from that which was originally subject to compliance testing is likely to take it out of specification. This is important on two counts. Firstly, the equipment when used is likely to cause interference and not perform to its true potential. In the case of so called twinkling antennas it has been found that when the antenna of a cellular telephone handset is replaced by one of these antennas the handset generates unwanted spurious frequencies with the potential to cause interference to other radio services. The handset's performance is also markedly impaired thereby limiting its communication range. Secondly, where equipment no longer performs to the requisite technical requirements, as is clearly the case when a twinkling antenna is fitted to a cellular telephone handset, the apparatus no longer qualifies for licensing or licence exemption under the section 1 of the 1949. As a consequence anyone using the apparatus would be committing an offence contrary to the 1949 Act.

The Agency recognises that individual members of the public cannot be expected to understand the technical or legal ramifications of what the public would see as the simple replacement of one antenna with another. However, it is not unreasonable for customers to expect that those in business should not be promoting equipment that cannot be legally used. The Agency shares this view.

Where radio equipment that cannot be legally used is offered for sale the supplier may be considered to be inciting members of the public to commit offences under the 1949 Act contrary to common law. The Agency has over the years successfully prosecuted suppliers for this offence. Given the potential of twinkling antennas, when fitted to a cellular telephone handset, to cause radio interference the Agency will not hesitate to take similar action against those who persist in marketing the product in this country

Anti-theft devices are licensed to use the band 888-889MHz. From 1 January 2004 the use of anti-theft devices on 888-889 MHz will not be permitted in the UK. (Radiocommunications Agency press notices P/96/81231 31 October 1996); the band plan will be changed to reflect this.

UMTS Represents the Third Generation of mobile telecommunications. UMTS will bring mobile networks significantly closer to the capabilities of fixed networks, providing mobile users with full interactive multimedia capabilities at data rates up to 2 Mbits/s, in addition to conventional voice, fax and data services. Improvements in coding and data compression technology will provide better speech quality and more reliable data transmission.

Third Generation mobile systems will take personal communications for the mobile user into the Information Society of the 21st century. Considerable work has been going on in a number of international fora over recent years and industries for over recent years on the development of Third Generation mobile communications standards and the identification of appropriate spectrum.

The first UMTS services have now commenced, with widespread global availability anticipated around 2005 – 2007.

These systems will deliver multimedia services (voice, video or data) to people on a global basis and provide them with access to new innovative services, which are now only starting to be conceivable over the fixed network. The clear goal of Third Generation systems is to offer mobile personalised multimedia communications to the mass market regardless of location, network or terminal. These will feature prominently and are likely to include facilities such as:

High speed Internet and Intranet access and electronic mail;
Video telephony and conferencing;
On-line banking and shopping;
Entertainment services, e.g. audio on demand, video games; and
Direct instant access to home or office IT systems, regardless of location.

From a users perspective, UMTS can be viewed as a complement to existing services and technologies; for instance, multimode terminals will facilitate the provision of UMTS and existing services such as GSM and PCN via a single terminal, providing the user with seamless roaming between services. It is recognised that, for many users, the voice and data capabilities of GSM, DECT, ISDN and other existing technologies will continue to be adequate, just as the fixed PSTN continues to meet the needs of many of today's subscribers. There are therefore no current plans to close these services.

The following frequencies are currently licensed for third generation public cellular telephony:

The Interface Requirement relevant to 3G Mobile Telephony Services is IR 2019. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

Licences for the 3G UK mainland were awarded by an auction process. Details of the auction and the Explanatory Memorandum are available on the Agency website.

Annual licence fees are not applicable for 3G licences awarded as a result of the auction process. Licence fees for Channel Islands and Isle of Man services are detailed in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. Licence fee details are also shown in document RA2 that is available on the Agency's website.

Cordless telephones operate by the use of a low power radio link between handset and base station, which in turn is connected to the public telephone network.

Over the next few years changes are being made to the frequency bands in which some types of these apparatus will be permitted to be used. From April 1 2005 new equipment will not be permitted to be bought into use in certain of the frequency bands however transitional arrangements provide that equipment in use at that date may continue to be used. Further information is in the text below.

CT 1 – A first generation analogue cordless telephone which, with the later version, provides a maximum range of about 200 metres between handset and base station and is primarily designed for domestic use. This version operates in the frequency bands 1642-1782 kHz and 47 MHz and must conform to the EU's Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive 1999/5/EC (R&TTE Directive) and the United Kingdom Interface Requirement IR 2011. Operation must be on not more than one of the pairs of frequencies set out below at any one time.

Channel Number	Base Station Transmission Frequency	Portable Station Transmission Frequency
1.	1642.00 kHz	47.45725 MHz
2.	1662.00 kHz	47.46875 MHz
3.	1682.00 kHz	47.48125 MHz
4.	1702.00 kHz	47.49375 MHz
5.	1722.00 kHz	47.50625 MHz
6.	1742.00 kHz	47.51875 MHz
7.	1762.00 kHz	47.53125 MHz or 47.44375 MHz
8.	1782.00 kHz	47.54375 MHz

As from 1 April 2005 it will not be permitted to bring new CT1 equipment using the above frequency bands into service.

In 1998 CT1 was extended to include analogue cordless telephone in the 31 and 39 MHz frequency bands. Eight additional channels were made available and employ 25 kHz spacing. Equipment operating on these frequencies must comply with the R&TTE Directive and the United Kingdom Interface Requirement IR 2011. These frequencies may be used to send and receive voice or data messages over a telecommunications system and the operation has to be on no more than one pair of frequencies during each connection.

Channel Number	Base Station Transmission Frequency	Portable Station Transmission Frequency
1.	31.0375 MHz	39.9375 MHz
2.	31.0625 MHz	39.9625 MHz
3.	31.0875 MHz	39.9875 MHz
4.	31.1125 MHz	40.0125 MHz
5.	31.1375 MHz	40.0375 MHz
6.	31.1625 MHz	40.0625 MHz
7.	31.1875 MHz	40.0875 MHz
8.	31.2125 MHz	40.1125 MHz

Extended Range CT1: – A variation of CT1 which is designed to meet demands primarily in rural areas for a cordless telephone capable of a far longer range from handset to base station of up to 2 km. Equipment must conform to the R&TTE Directive and the United Kingdom Interface Requirement IR 2011. The operation must be only on one of the following pairs of frequencies.

As from 1 April 2005 it will not be permitted to bring new CT1 (extended) equipment into service.

CT 2 – These systems use digital speech and digital transmission technology thereby reducing the interference suffered by CT1 equipment.

The equipment must conform to the R&TTE Directive and the United Kingdom Interface Requirement IR 2011 and operate in the frequency band 864.1 MHz to 868.1 MHz using frequency division multiple access digital technology.

As from 1 April 2005 it will not be permitted to bring new CT2 equipment into service.

Digital European Cordless Telecommunications Apparatus (DECT, also known as Digital Enhanced Telecommunications Apparatus)

There continues to be a strong market interest in cordless telephony for residential and private office use. Domestic cordless telephones based on the DECT specification are now becoming widely available. The DECT specification was developed by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and operates throughout Europe in the frequency band 1880 – 1900 MHz in accordance with ETSI standard ETS 300 175.

DECT systems may be placed on the UK market if the equipment complies with the Directive R&TTE and the United Kingdom Interface Requirement IR 2011. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

DECT systems may consist of one or more base stations, repeater stations and portable stations. The stations can be used to send and receive voice and data messages or visual images either directly between a base station and a portable station or between a base station and a portable station through a repeater station. DECT base stations must operate within the frequency band 1880 – 1900 MHz.

For the purpose of this paragraph, 'repeater stations' means a station which relays the voice or data message or visual image between the base station and one or more portable stations.

The potential for cordless phones to cause interference to other radio users is small providing they operate under the correct technical conditions. In keeping with the Government's general policy of deregulation and reduction of unnecessary burden on business, the Agency has removed the need for licences, except in the case laid out below under section 1 of the 1949 Act. Details of the current exemption requirements for cordless phones are contained in Schedule 4 to the Statutory Instrument (SI) entitled 'The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 1999' (SI 1999 No 930) as amended by SIs 2000 No 1012, and SI 2001 No 730.

Note the Exemption SI is reviewed annually and amended or reissued as required.

Copies of these SIs are available from any Stationary Office Bookshop or from the HMSO website: www.hmso.gov.uk/legislation.

From April 8^th 2001 the R&TTE Directive removed the need for national type approval and replaced it with a conformity assessment regime based on manufacturers self-declaration. Under this Directive manufacturers take full responsibility for the conformance of their equipment.

Under the R&TTE Directive member states are required to notify the European Commission of the details of the radio interfaces they regulate. The Interface Requirements notified by the UK specify the conditions that have to be complied with in order to use the radio spectrum in the UK. These Interface Requirements are published on the RA website under Documents, Library, and UK Radio Interface Requirements.

The 'UK Radio Interface Requirement IR 2011 Cordless Telephony Services' contain the use conditions for cordless telephones in the specified frequency bands.

Users of cordless telephones should follow the manufacturer's instructions for their installation and in particular fully deploy aerials on the base units. Failure to do this may lead to poor quality of service.

To place CT1 and CT2 equipment on the market the following information needs to be available:

The intended use of the apparatus together with the declaration of conformity.
For radio equipment, sufficient information to identify the Member State or geographical area where the equipment is intended for use.
For telecommunications terminal equipment, sufficient information to identify the interfaces of public networks to which the equipment is intended to be connected.

The CE marking together with the reference number of all notified bodies used and if necessary the alert symbol (this information should also be placed on the packaging and instructions for use).
The type, batch and/or serial number assigned to the equipment.
The name of the manufacturer or person responsible for placing the equipment on the market.

As part of the implementation process of the RTTE Directive the Commission has published a list of equipment that falls under what is known as Class 1. Class 1 comprises all Radio Equipment and Telecommunication Terminal Equipment that can be placed on the market and be put into service throughout the European Community without restriction.

This allows that DECT phones may be placed on the market in the United Kingdom without prior notification to the Agency and that it does not need to be marked with the alert symbol.

Important: Travellers intending to purchase cordless telephones abroad for use in this country should note the following:

Cordless phones, other than DECT, purchased within the European Community and not specifically intended for use in the United Kingdom are unlikely to conform to the relevant UK Interface Requirement. Such phones need to be notified to the Agency at least four weeks before they are placed on the UK market (see RA 368 available from our website for more details on the notification procedure.)

The import, manufacture, sale and possession of cordless telephones operating below 853 MHz and which do not conform to the R&TTE Directive and United Kingdom Interface Requirement IR 2011 is prohibited.

Cordless phones, including DECT phones purchased outside the European Community; that are not marked with a CE mark will not conform to the R&TTE Directive and Interface Requirement 2011 and will therefore be open to seizure by enforcement officers.

A General Authority has been issued to allow firms to import non-approved cordless telephones on a commercial basis for re-export provided the goods are held in a Customs warehouse in the UK.

There are various conditions attached to the General Authority including that certain documents should be kept available for inspection. Failure to comply with the conditions could be a criminal offence. Firms wishing to take advantage of the General Authority are therefore recommended to study its terms and conditions. A copy may be obtained from the RA at the address in the next paragraph.

Firms wishing to import non-approved cordless telephones on a commercial basis for re-export but not to hold them in a Customs warehouse or anyone wishing to import non-approved cordless telephones for research, testing or development should apply to the RA for the necessary specific Authority. For further information on either the General Authority or how to obtain a specific Authority contact:

RA3 Enforcement Policy Unit
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX
Tel: 020 7211 0463
Fax: 020 7211 0035

Users of cordless telephones should note that they are not 'protected' from interference from other radio services unless the radio service causing the interference is itself in breach of the legislation.

Moreover there are only a limited number of frequencies available for CT1. The number of cordless telephones using these frequencies has increased significantly in recent years with the result that users, particularly in urban areas, may experience frequency congestion. This is likely to take the form of co-channel interference from other users on the same frequency.

Users suffering interference should consult their instruction manual and contact their supplier (or BT if the telephone is rented from BT) for advice if necessary.

Security Users should be aware that cordless telephone conversations are not secure. In certain circumstances other radio listeners can receive conversations.

A CBS, sometimes referred to as a community repeater, is a base station which is installed by an operator to provide a mobile communications service on a commercial basis to a number of independent users.

Operators are given exclusive use of a frequency covering a specific geographic area. A base station is installed at a suitable location to provide coverage over their intended operational area. Customers operate the base station by using a fixed mobile with a directional antenna from their business premises or by hand portables and vehicle mounted mobiles. The operational area of a radio system is limited by a number of physical factors. They include the frequency band, antenna height above sea level, effective radiated power (erp) and the topography within the service area. As the radio spectrum is a finite source, regulation by the Agency is necessary to ensure, as far as possible, minimum interference to co-channel users while still offering a satisfactory level of service.

Operators who wish to expand their system may apply for further channels; these will only be assigned providing the channel loading criteria is achieved on an existing channel/channels. Further expansion may require the operator to upgrade their existing channels to form a trunked radio system. This can be achieved providing the existing channels assigned are suitable for trunking; if they are not then reassignment of new channels; (providing they are available) is required. If no suitable channels can be found in the existing band then migration to another band is the only option.

Licensing of Common Base Stations is carried out by the Agency's regional offices, with the exception of frequencies in Band III, Sub-Band I (177-192 MHz) which are administered by Public Wireless Networks Unit. Application for a 1949 Act licence to operate a CBS requires the completion of form RA259. A map showing the proposed coverage area must accompany the application. Upon receipt of the application form, the Agency will carry out a test assignment for the appropriate band. If no channels are available then the applicant will be contacted to ascertain whether an alternative band is acceptable. If the test assignment fails, further investigations will be made on the failed channels to reach the best compromise. The applicant will be shown a copy of the Aspect prediction and if they wish to proceed they will sign and return the acceptance letter.

Once licensed a CBS has two years in which to reach a voice traffic loading of 10% in the busy hour1. In addition the CBS must be in operation with at least three separate legal entities as customers. Any further expansion of an existing system requires the operator to show existing traffic loading figures. Failure by the operator to achieve this target means that the Agency has the power to close a single channel CBS or reduce the channel capacity of multi channel CBS or a trunked CBS system.

The Interface Requirement relevant to CBS is IR 2018. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

An annual fee is payable for CBS licences. The current levels of fees are set out in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. Licence fee details are also shown in document RA2 that is available on Agency's website.

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1 The busy hour is any one-hour period during a twenty-four hour period, in which the greatest volume of traffic is received.

The Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) operators provide voice, telemetry and data services for a wide range of applications in the land, maritime and aeronautical services. The satellite operators utilise a variety of space orbits to provide services to fixed portable and mobile terminals that operate in the United Kingdom and other countries where these services are permitted.

The MSS industry developed to provide specialist communications for both business and international emergency service applications. Whilst these applications remain the main activities of the operators, new applications are being developed aimed at the consumer market to complement and compete with the terrestrial cellular telephone market.

The United Kingdom is the home of the largest MSS operator, Inmarsat, and the base for other operators. These companies provide valuable services where terrestrial communications is not practical and the UK supports this space industry through a variety of initiatives through the DTI, British National Space Centre (BNSC) and their service providers.

The following frequency bands are currently designated to the land mobile-satellite service within the United Kingdom.

137-137 MHz
149-150 MHz
1525-1559 MHz
1610.5-1626.5 MHz
1626.5-1660.5 MHz
1980-2010 MHz
2170-2200 MHz
2483.5-2500 MHz
14.0-14.25 GHz

It should be recognised that additional frequency bands are allocated to the mobile-satellite service throughout Regions 1 to 3, as defined in the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations.

The Interface Requirement relevant to Mobile Satellite Systems is IR 2016. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

The 1949 Act requires that no radio equipment is installed or used in the UK except under the authority of a licence granted by or otherwise exempted by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

In the case of the land mobile-satellite service, the land mobile earth stations in the UK are exempted through the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 1999 as amended.

There are specific licence products being developed by PWN to licence satellite networks such as the 'connexion by Boeing' system to enable the operation of its broadband internet/e-mail access on aircraft while operating in UK airspace. A further example of this is Earth Stations on board vessels (ESV's) providing an equivalent Maritime Communications network utilising VSAT technology.

Mobile data networks provide two way transmissions of non-voice messages (data). The data is usually transmitted in 'packet' form, meaning it is sent in short, high-speed bursts rather than in real time. For example, if sending a text message, the text is typed into a terminal and stored until the user is ready to transmit. This approach makes these networks very spectrum efficient, since a message which might take many seconds to send by voice can be transmitted over the air as data in a small fraction of a second.

The Radio Frequency carrier spacing in the frequency band of operation is required to be 12.5 kHz.

1949 Act licences are allocated through a public consultation process that uses either an award system based on comparative selection or alternatively an auction process. Licences are renewable annually.

There is not sufficient spectrum available for this type of radio use to satisfy all individual requests and it is not possible to allocate an individual frequency for one-off proprietary data applications. At present there are already a number of existing two way data services commercially available providing national location and tracking networks. Furthermore it is anticipated that the delivery of niche data applications to the consumers can be made via anyone of the three National Public Mobile Data Networks.

Any one of the existing data networks should be able to provide a wide range of data services such as AVL, Tracking/Location systems, Remote Meter Reading and Various Data Links or provide the infrastructure for the delivery of any of these applications to the public.

Apart from the three national data licensees two other data licences have been granted to specifically provide national AVL services.

One uses a single frequency channel in the base transmit range of VHF mid band and the second uses a CDMA spread spectrum system. These services are licensed (and charged) as National Public Mobile Data channels. Both companies are not allowed to provide any other data facilities apart from AVL and are therefore not a true data licensee as their licence only allows them to provide this one specific AVL niche data application.

The interface requirement relevant to public mobile data services is IR 2012. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

An annual fee is payable for public data licences. The current levels of fees are set out in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. Licence fee details are also shown in document RA2 that is available on Agency's website.

Public Wide Area Paging (PWAP) provides one way paging services to subscribers. The networks provide national coverage and benefit from wider coverage than cellular networks and better building penetration for a low monthly subscription.

There are three types of pager currently available, which all of the UK operators can provide.

Tone Pager: These devices only indicate that a message has been received. They are used to prompt the user to call a pre-defined telephone number.

Numeric Pagers: These allow a string of numbers to be displayed. In most cases a telephone number is displayed, prompting the user to call that number. More complex messages can be sent via these devices by use of a predefined code.

Alphanumeric Pagers: These allow a message consisting of a string of characters to be displayed. As a result, more complex messages can be conveyed.

These systems at present permit the transmission of one way calls to a paging receiver, via a base station, anywhere within the UK or depending on the system within a defined geographic area. PWAP operators can provide details of the extent of coverage in the UK.

Due to the poor market penetration of ERMES within CEPT Administrations, and TWP in the UK, consideration of allocation to alternative services is currently underway. Through Working Group Frequency Management and by consultation within the UK it is anticipated that a harmonised alternative allocation will result.

Public paging has national allocations in the VHF and UHF bands. It is not currently possible to publish the specific frequencies used by the networks but the following is an indication of where in the spectrum they are located:

The interface requirement relevant to public paging services is IR 2010. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

The Radio Frequency carrier spacing in the frequency band of operation is required to be 25 kHz.

The maximum Effective Radiated Power (ERP) for POCSAG national systems is 100 Watts.

1949 Act licences are allocated through a public consultation process that uses either an award system based on comparative selection or alternatively an auction process.

An annual fee is payable for paging licences. The current levels of fees are set out in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. Licence fee details are also shown in document RA2 that is available on the Agency's website.

Companies which require the use of commercial two way business radio (for example to communicate with delivery or sales staff) have a choice whether to provide their own communications in-house or to purchase the facility from a service provider.

Within a local area, service for a number of customers may be provided from a transmitter at a single site or up to three sites linked together (typically up to 45 km from the site). This is called a Common Base Station (CBS), details of which are separately available. Where a number of transmitter sites exceed three and are linked together to form a regional or national network, the service is known as Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR). However, CBSs that have evolved into systems with more than three base station sites linked together will still remain under the CBS licensing policy, but will require a Telecommunications Act licence in common with PAMR systems.

One feature of PAMR is that it uses a facility called trunking where a number of channels are linked in such a way that a mobile using the network will be able to choose the next available free channel, rather than wait for a particular channel to become free. This reduces the call waiting time and also improves the efficiency with which the radio spectrum is used. Signalling is also used to identify and separate the individual customer groups sharing the service. This gives a degree of privacy, although like most radio systems PAMR cannot provide complete immunity from eavesdropping.

A subscriber has both a larger coverage and potentially a higher grade of service than for a private mobile radio system without the burden of the infrastructure and maintenance costs for a wide area system. Subscribers do not require individual radio licensees since the operator is licensed under the Wireless Telegraphy and Telecommunications Acts which cover all radio use on the assigned channels.

TETRA is a relatively new digital service that combines the virtues of two-way radio, mobile telephony and messaging in one handset. It is designed to be used by groups, such as sales forces and field service teams, and handsets will communicate directly outside the reach of a base station. An enhanced version of TETRA, generally referred to a TETRA Release 2 is expected to provide increased data rates of up to 130 kilobits per second.

At present, most PAMR systems operate in the former TV broadcasting spectrum Band III (174-225 MHz) and the services are sometimes referred to as 'Band III Networks'.

Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

1949 Act licences for PAMR and TETRA are allocated through a public consultation process that uses either an award system based on comparative selection or alternatively an auction process. Licences are renewable annually.

Please see Section C Chapter 3 for information regarding Telecommunications Act licences

The annual fees for the above services are detailed in the annual Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. Licence fee details are also shown in document RA2 that is available on the Agency's website at www.radio.gov.uk

Telecommunication links to homes and businesses in the UK have traditionally been by fixed copper wire. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), also commonly referred to as Radio Fixed Access (RFA) or radio in the local loop (RLL), is the use of radio to provide an alternative to the so called 'last mile' connectivity between the subscriber and the fixed telecommunications network. Wireless access systems provide an opportunity to increase competition in the telecommunication market and provide more choice and innovation to consumers. Fixed Wireless Access removes the need to 'fly' wire across country or dig up roads to provide fixed telecommunication links.

The Government has facilitated the introduction of FWA systems in the UK by providing a number of bands for these systems.

The following bands are currently licensed for FWA in the UK:

3.4 GHz
3.6-4.2 GHz
10 GHz
28 GHz*
40 GHz*

* These bands are currently administered by the Broadband Fixed Wireless Access Section. Further details of the licensing/fees for these bands is available in the manual for the Broadcasting, Programme-Making and Multimedia Unit.

The Interface Requirement relevant to FWA is IR 2015. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website at www. radio.gov.uk.

1949 Act licences for FWA are allocated through a public consultation process that uses either an award system based on comparative selection or alternatively an auction process. Licences are renewable annually.

An annual licence fee is payable for FWA licences which is calculated on the amount of spectrum used. The current levels of fees are set out in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. Licence fee details are also shown in document RA2 that is available on the Agency's website.

Remote Meter Reading is the process whereby electricity, gas, and water utility meters and non-utility meters are read by low power radio transmitters.

Small radio transmitters or transceivers called Consumer Units are attached to or built into meters. Consumer Units read the meters at regular intervals, or when instructed to do so, and forward the meter readings to radio receivers or transceivers call Concentrators, or via intermediate radio transceivers called Nodes. Concentrators collect data from a large number of Consumer Units and/or Nodes. Concentrators are normally at fixed locations but can be carried in cars and vans, whereas Nodes must be at fixed locations.

Consumer Units transmit information to Concentrators and Nodes at regular intervals enabling regular updating of customer records. Some Consumer Units can also transmit information when asked to do so by Concentrators or Nodes. These requests for information are known as 'wake-up calls' and enable readings to take place at specific times such as when a customer moves house or changes supplier.

Remote Display Units can be used in conjunction with Consumer Units. Remote Display Units display information collected by Consumer Units from meters. Remote Display Units do not display any other information; neither do they transmit information to Consumer Units.

Some Remote Meter Reading frequencies are issued in a shared use basis only. Licensees are expected to share the frequencies issued to them with other licensees.

All Remote Meter Reading transmissions must be in the form of data. Any type of modulation may be used. Analogue or digital speech transmissions are not permitted.

Transmissions from a Customer Unit to a Node or Concentrator must not exceed 1% in any one hour period.

Transmissions from a Concentrator or Node for general broadcast purposes, including wake up calls, must not exceed 1% of the transmission time in any one hour period.

Transmissions from a Concentrator or Node to a specific Consumer Unit must not exceed 20% of the transmission time detailed in paragraph 1 above.

Transmissions from Consumer Units must go directly to Concentrators or via a maximum of one other Consumer Unit/or one Node.

Remote Meter Reading frequencies must only be used to pass information from Consumer Units to Concentrators. Once information has reached a Concentrator, other means, such as a landline or a data network, must be used to pass on the information for processing.

There are two blocks of spectrum in the 183.5 - 184.5 MHz band available for shared Remote Meter Reading:

Licensees can use either a 25 kHz channel (from eight in Block 1) or a single 200 kHz channel (Block 2).

A single 200 kHz block is also available for exclusive Remote Meter Reading use.

ERP levels and antenna heights are detailed in MPT 1601 (Technical requirements for the testing, type approval and licensing of Short Range Radio Devices for Remote Meter Reading in the frequency band 183.5 MHz to 184.5 MHz).

Information and Library Service
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SX

For higher ERPs licensees must apply in writing to the Public Wireless Networks Unit of the Agency. Licensees must justify their need for higher ERPs. Requests are dealt with on a case by case basis.

The Agency reserves the right to refuse the installation and use of transmitters with ERPs above the limits listed above.

The Interface Requirement relevant to Remote Meter Reading is IR 2017. Copies of individual Interface Requirements are available on the Agency's website.

Application forms for Remote Meter Reading licences using shared frequencies are available from the address below:

Licences for exclusive spectrum are allocated through a public consultation process that uses either an award system based on comparative selection or alternatively an auction process. Licences are renewable annually.

An annual fee is payable for Remote Meter Reading licences. The current levels of fees are set out in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations. Licence fee details are also shown in document RA2 that is available on the Agency's website.

1949 Act licence fees for public wireless network operators are due under the provisions of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 and 1998. These are detailed in annual Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations. Details of annual licence fees are also shown in information document RA2 that is available on the Agency's website.

The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998 Act introduced important changes to spectrum management legislation. It provided the Agency with important additional tools to manage the spectrum more effectively and to promote its optimal utilisation.

The 1998 Act introduced new ways of setting licence fees for radio spectrum. Previously, fees were linked to the costs of issuing licences. This was economically irrational, as it gave little or no incentive to use spectrum more efficiently, and unfair to smaller businesses who pay far more pro rata on a cost recovery basis than large users of the spectrum, such as mobile telecommunications operators. Instead the 1998 Act provides for licence fees to be set by regulation (administrative pricing) or by auction to reflect spectrum management objectives.

As a means of deriving equitable fees, Spectrum Tariff Units were evolved for the mobile bands. Details of the derivation of these units (STU) were set out in the May 1997 and September 1998 Consultation Documents on Implementing Spectrum Pricing. Each aims to give a value for spectrum as a raw material from which individual product values can then be calculated. The initial values have been conservatively calculated, and it is proposed to re-evaluate them after initial completion of spectrum pricing implementation.

The aim of the second phase of spectrum pricing implementation (see consultation document 'Spectrum Pricing: Implementing the Second Stage' (September 1998)) was to facilitate the introduction of a wider range of public telecommunication services into the framework of the new legislation. Accordingly, the classes of public telecommunication services to which spectrum pricing was applied included:

The Agency consulted in September 1999 on proposals for Spectrum Pricing for Fixed Wireless Access and also pricing of categories not covered in earlier phases such as cellular telephone services in the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. The methodology was detailed in the consultation document 'Spectrum Pricing: Implementing the Third Stage and Beyond'. The new charges commenced in July 2000.

In order to allow users the opportunity to adjust, the spectrum pricing regime is being implemented in stages, with escalators being used. The escalator periods applicable to services for which the Public Telecommunication Networks Unit is responsible are as follows:

Cellular Radio Telephones	four years
Public Mobile Data	four years
Public Paging	four years
Public Access Mobile Radio (PAMR)	four years
Common Base Stations (CBS)	four years
Fixed Wireless Access	five years

The Agency established a Spectrum Pricing Plenary Group, which had widespread representation from the mobile radiocommunications industry. A sub-group was tasked to review candidate modifiers that had been proposed. The Modifiers Sub-Group considered various criteria to be used and agreed a list of modifiers, which may be applied to pricing values. The modifier is a multiplying factor, which mitigates certain technical and/or economic factors relating specifically to the service considered.

The Modifiers Sub-Group reviewed fourteen candidate modifiers in detail. After careful consideration within the sub group and subsequent endorsement from the main Spectrum Pricing Group, this initial list was reduced to five modifiers as follows:

Modifier		Application
Competition, choice & diversity	–	Case by case basis
Quality of Service	–	Limited application, case by case
Technology choice	–	Dependant on the degree of constraint imposed by mandated technology
Congestion	–	Proportional to values considered in a separate sub-group
Spectrum Usage Constraints	–	Variable – see table below

Propagation at frequencies <100 MHz	0.7
Propagation at frequencies = 100 MHz-1 GHz	Unity
Propagation at frequencies 1 GHz, <2.5 GHz	0.7
Fragmentation of allocated spectrum	0.8
Interference/International Co-ordination	0.7 – 1.0

The full text of the findings of the sub-group as presented to the plenary group in April 1998 is available from the RA library or from the RA website www.radio.gov.uk titled: 'Report on modifiers to be used in determining administrative pricing fee charges for mobile services'.

Common Base Station (CBS) assignments are made from a pool of spectrum allocated to the sector, with defined levels of traffic and customer loading required to retain existing channels or to justify additional allocations. The Agency uses monitoring data (both routine and targeted) as well as customer supplied information in order to assess the merits of applications and employs coverage-prediction software tools to make effective re-use of the spectrum. Presently the revised fees for CBS vary according to congestion, defined by grid references and assignments in the VHF Mid and High band that are shared with PMR assignments qualify for a further 30% discount. It is therefore proposed that the pricing of CBS will be reviewed in the near future so that it is based on the actual coverage area, rather than the initial band reuse factor of 10 regions (although this is expected to cause problems of administrative practicality). CBS assignments are made on the understanding that new licensees will establish a defined level of traffic loading within a given period. If the specified channel loading is not reached, the assignment may be revoked.

The Headline fee rates proposed and the corresponding values after the application of proposed modifiers are detailed in the Spectrum Pricing consultation documents which are available on the Agency website.

In addition to being licensed under the 1949 Act, operators who wish to provide third party telecommunications services must be licensed under the Telecommunications Act 1984 (T Act).

Communications and Information Industries Directorate
Dept of Trade and Industry
151 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SS

This document is designed to provide details of the Radiocommunications Agency's licensing procedures relating to Public Wireless Networks. However, it should not be taken as giving exact policy in relation to this sector as revisions to this document will be done periodically or when there is a substantive need to update the document. This document can therefore only be accurate at the time of writing and should in any event be read in conjunction with the Agency's Licensing Policy Manual.

Therefore the Agency accepts no responsibility or liability for to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document.

Revisions to this document will be done periodically or when there is a substantive need to update this document.

Please contact the appropriate business unit directly if you have any queries or concerns, which can be found in Annex B of the Agency's Licensing Policy Manual.

Remote Meter Reading is the process whereby electricity, gas, and water utility meters and non-utility meters are read by low power radio transmitters.

Some Remote Meter Reading frequencies are issued in a shared use basis only. Licensees are expected to share the frequencies issued to them with other Licensees.

All Remote Meter Reading transmissions must be in the form of data. Any type of modulation may be used. Analogue or digital speech transmissions are not permitted.

Transmissions from a Concentrator or Node to a specific Consumer Unit must not exceed 20% of the transmission time detailed in paragraph 1 above.

Transmissions from Consumer Units must go directly to Concentrators or via a maximum of one other Consumer Unit/or one Node.

There are two blocks of spectrum in the 183.5 - 184.5 MHz band available for shared Remote Meter Reading:

Licensees can use either a 25 kHz channel (from eight in Block 1) or a single 200 kHz channel (Block 2).

For higher ERPs licensees must apply in writing to the Radiocommunications Agency Licensees must justify their need for higher ERPs. Requests are dealt with on a case by case basis.

The Agency reserves the right to refuse the installation and use of transmitters with ERPs above the limits listed above.

Licensees are responsible for recording the operational details of their Remote Meter Reading network. Licensees must compile and maintain accurate records of the details listed below and inform the Agency where this information is located and who is responsible for it. Licensees must produce the records when required to do so by the Agency staff and provide copies at intervals directed by the Agency.

Operational details required for Consumer Units, Nodes and Fixed Concentrators:

Location (including postcode) or national grid reference
Antennas outside buildings more than 10 metres above ground level
Antennas outside buildings more than 10 metres above ground level with ERPs above 10 mW

All Remote Meter Reading radio equipment must be labelled with certain administrative and technical details.

In addition to being licensed under the 1949 Act licensees must be licensed under the (T Act) 1984. Licensees require a T Act licence to run a telecommunications system.

To find out if you are covered by a T Act class licence or need to apply for an individual T Act licence, contact the Communications and Information Industries Directorate of the Department of Trade and Industry on 020 7211 1777 or by writing to:

Jeanne Grey
Communications and Information Industries Directorate
CII 1c
Department of Trade and Industry
151 Buckingham Palace Road
London
SW1W 9SS

Licensees may authorise other persons to operate the Radio Equipment on their behalf, provided that those persons have been authorised in writing by the licensee to use the Radio Equipment and they are made aware of and comply with the terms of the licence.

An application for a Remote Meter Reading licence should be made on the attached application form and sent with the appropriate licence fee, to the address below.

The licence fee to use a shared 25 kHz frequency (Block 1) is £1000 (nationally) and £200 (regionally). The licence fee to use the one shared 200 kHz frequency (Block 2) is £8000 (nationally) and £1600 (regionally). Cheques should be made payable to the 'Radiocommunications Agency' and crossed 'A/C Payee'.

For further information on the Remote Meter Reading licence contact Public Wireless Networks Unit on 020 7211 0568 or by writing to:

Public Wireless Networks Unit
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX

For further information on radio matters, please contact the Agency's Enquiry Point on 020 7211 0211.

BD-Bradford; DH-Durham; DL-Darlington; DN-Doncaster; HD-Huddersfield; HG-Harrogate; HU-Hull; HX-Halifax; LN-Lincoln; LS-Leeds; NE-Newcastle; S-Sheffield; SR-Sunderland; TS-Cleveland; WK-Wakefield; YO-York.

BB-Blackburn; BL-Bolton; CA-Carlisle; CH-Chester; CW-Crewe; FY-Blackpool; L-Liverpool; LA-Lancaster; M-Manchester; OL-Oldham; PR-Preston; SK-Stockport; WA-Warrington; WN-Wigan.

BA-Bath; BH-Bournemouth; BN-Brighton; BS-Bristol; DT-Dorchester; EX-Exeter;GL-Gloucester; GU-Guildford; OX-Oxford; PL-Plymouth; PO-Portsmouth; RG-Reading;RH-Redhill; SL-Slough; SN-Swindon; SO-Southampton; SP-Salisbury; TA-Taunton; TQ-Torquay; TR-Truro.

B-Birmingham; CB-Cambridge; CV-Coventry; DE-Derby; DY-Dudley; HP-Hemel Hempstead; HR-Hereford; IP-Ipswich; LE-Leicester; LU-Luton; MK-Milton Keynes; NG-Nottingham; NN-Northampton; NR-Norwich; PE-Peterborough; ST-Stoke; SY-Shrewsbury (English section); TF-Telford; WR-Worcester; WS-Walsall; WV-Wolverhampton.

AL-St Albans; BR-Bromley; CM-Chelmsford; CO-Colchester; CR-Croydon; CT-Canterbury; DA-Dartford; E-London East; EC-London East Central; EN-Enfield; HA-Harrow; IG-Ilford; KT-Kingston; ME-Medway; N-London North; NW-London North West; RM-Romford; SE-London South East; SG-Stevenage; SM-Sutton; SS-Southend; SW-London South West; TN-Tonbridge; TW-Twickenham; UB-Southall; W-London West; WC-London West Central; WD-Watford.

Please read the attached Remote Meter Reading information sheet before filling in this application form.

A licence fee must be sent in with this application form. The licence fee to use the 25 kHz frequency (Block 1) is £1000 (nationally) and £200 (regionally). The licence fee to use the 200 kHz frequency (Block 2) is £8000 (nationally) and £1600 (regionally). Cheques should be made payable to the Radiocommunications Agency and crossed 'A/C Payee'.

Section A	Introduction
Chapter 1	The purpose of the manual
Chapter 2	The Role of PWNU
Chapter 3	Additional topics
Section B	Licensing sectors
Chapter 1	Cellular telephony
Chapter 2	Third Generation mobile cellular
Chapter 3	Cordless telephony
Chapter 4	Common base stations
Chapter 5	Mobile Satellite Services
Chapter 6	Public mobile data
Chapter 7	Wide area public paging
Chapter 8	Public access mobile radio (including TETRA)
Chapter 9	Fixed Wireless Access
Chapter 10	Remote Meter Reading
Section C	Additional information
Chapter 1	Licence fees
Chapter 2	Spectrum pricing
Chapter 3	Telecommunications Act
Section D	Disclaimer
Chapter 1	Disclaimer
Annex
Annex A	Remote Meter Reading licence application form and information Sheets

Licensing Procedures Manual for Public Wireless Networks Unit

Contents

THE PURPOSE OF THE MANUAL

SECTION A

CHAPTER 1

THE ROLE OF PWNU

SECTION A

CHAPTER 2

ADDITIONAL TOPICS

SECTION A

CHAPTER 3

CELLULAR TELEPHONY

SECTION B

CHAPTER 1

THIRD GENERATION MOBILE CELLULAR

SECTION B

CHAPTER 2

CORDLESS TELEPHONY

SECTION B

CHAPTER 3

COMMON BASE STATIONS

SECTION B

CHAPTER 4

MOBILE SATELLITE SERVICES

SECTION B

CHAPTER 5

PUBLIC MOBILE DATA

SECTION B

CHAPTER 6

WIDE AREA PUBLIC PAGING

SECTION B

CHAPTER 7

PUBLIC ACCESS MOBILE RADIO (INCLUDING TETRA)

SECTION B

CHAPTER 8

FIXED WIRELESS ACCESS

SECTION B

CHAPTER 9

REMOTE METER READING

SECTION B

CHAPTER 10

LICENCE FEES

SECTION C

CHAPTER 1

SPECTRUM PRICING

SECTION C

CHAPTER 2

TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT

SECTION C

CHAPTER 3

DISCLAIMER

SECTION D

CHAPTER 1

REMOTE METER READING LICENCE INFORMATION SHEETS AND APPLICATION FORM

ANNEX A

PUBLIC ACCESS MOBILE RADIO
(INCLUDING TETRA)