Appendix 5 - Technology Development Sector

Your views on the proposals set out in this document are sought by 31 December 1999. Comments should be sent to the address below. It would be helpful if lengthy written documents could be sent via email of on disk in Word 7:

Contact Details:

Bernard Bond
Radiocommunications Agency,
Wyndham House,
189 Marsh Wall,
London E14 9SX

Email: bernard.bond@ra.gsi.gov.uk

Fax: 020 7211 0162

Based on recommendations by Smith and NERA, the Agency does not consider that spectrum pricing will assist management of spectrum related to this sector, and indeed that the fees might generally be simplified to encourage better compliance and oversight of licences. Views are invited on the following proposals. Comments should be sent to the address and the front of this sheet.

Test and development is an important area of the Agency's work not only to develop new products for the existing services but producing new technologies to make the most of the radio spectrum. Some of these emerging technologies have a large impact on the Telecommunications industry, such as UMTS, whereas others can have an important impact on other industries such as, construction with the development of ground probing radar which is used in the surveying of buildings, roads and for the utilities in finding oil, gas, water, etc.

Test and development (T&D) covers the following areas:

a) testing, modification, servicing or repair of radio equipment;

b) development of radio equipment either for,

i) existing radio services or

ii) for new concepts;

c) scientific research or experimentation;

d) training establishments for the teaching of radio theory and practice;

e) Type Approval and EMC Test Houses.

The T&D can be for an RA sponsored band, another Government Department or for Overseas market. Where the T&D is required for an overseas market this can present additional difficulties, such as conflicting technologies, different use of the radio frequency bands, etc.

A number of spot frequencies have already been identified for T&D, these are given in Annex C to RA 127.

There are no dedicated T&D frequencies for the other operational bands, such as GSM, Band III, Maritime mobile and Fixed Links in other bands apart from those indicated in Annex C. Currently applicants wishing to carry out T&D on these bands must apply to the Agency and the relevant Business Unit will provide the allocation. Where applicants apply for a T&D, this system usually works fairly well, however, problems are envisaged when spectrum is Auctioned Off. RA2/TSU have had adverse comments from the RA Auction team already concerning T&D applications which are either already in or are proposed to use the bands identified for UMTS. Either Annex C should be revised to add further identified T&D bands and/or RA should be able to agree to a T&D in any band if it is considered justified. The current system has a number of faults, such as refusal without any technical justification, and needs to be reviewed.

For a) above, the T&D licensee may radiate on the operating frequency, transmit or receive, of the equipment which is in for servicing, etc. whilst servicing that equipment. Note according to the RA 127 this can only be carried out at the customers premises or at locations which are permitted under the customers licence.

A Test & Development Licence can be issued for a period, of up to one year. A reminder is sent out and as long as the licensee returns the remittance a further schedule is sent out and the licensee can continue. This needs to be reviewed in order that there is some form of verification, in particular to T&D areas b, c and d above. For these areas there should be a maximum period of three years. If a T&D licence is still required after that period then a further application should be made. and the application form completed in full and not just stating see previous application.

Under the current policy if the applicant meets certain criteria then a T&D licence is not required. Full details is given in RA 127.

The current cost for a T&D licence is £150. Where a licence is required for more than a year then the fee of £150 is required annually.

The fee is for a site and can cover any number of frequencies or projects on that site. If a company has more than on site then a separate Licence and fee is required to cover each site.

It is proposed that there should be some form of Registration of the T & D sites and a fee £20 for three years should be payable. Annex A should be extended, to include frequency bands higher up the radio spectrum. Frequency bands covering the services indicated in Annex C should also be covered in this class of licence. Additional frequencies should be added to Annex C to cover existing services which so far are not included.

For other T&D applications the processing of the T&D application can be complex involving not only RA staff but also outside bodies (such as the Broadcasters, MoD, CAA, etc)., so a higher fee is probably justified e.g. £50. However, whatever fee is decided the fee of the Temporary Use Licence should be of a similar magnitude as there is no justification for having different fee levels.

This licence category is used for:

a) to demonstrate equipment to a customer or at a trade show,

i) where a service licence is normally required;

ii) where a service licence is not available because the equipment has not been approved for use in the UK;

b) to use equipment for up to a period of 6 Months where an operational licence is either not available or applicable.

Equipment need not be type approved.

Applications to use the band are passed to the appropriate RA Business Unit or other appropriate UK spectrum management body, who will agree the parameters to be used.

Further details are given in RA224.

A licence is valid for any period up to 6 Months. Normally this is not renewable and the applicant would need to re apply if a further period is required. Exception can be made on occasions such as in the case of Remote Meter Reading where delays were incurred in developing an operational licence.

The current cost for a licence is £250 for any period up to 6 Months.  The fee normally covers each site for which a schedule is issued.

The fee of £250 for periods of less than 7 days is often disproportionately high to the spectrum used, and it is therefore proposed to reduce this to a lower fee where a demonstration is required for an indoor site at a trade exhibition or where Annex A and B of the T&D applies. A price of £50 is suggested for each site request

The basic fee for all other applications i.e. greater than 7 days up to 6 Months should be in line with the T&D fee.

These are licences for special applications which do not conform to an existing operational licence and are required on a long term basis. Applications for this category of licence are only granted in extreme circumstances.

The current price is £100 renewable every 12 Months.

For administrative simplicity and consistency, it is proposed that the fee should be in line with the T&D fee at £50, and included within the same class.

Radar level gauges are used to measure the levels of materials in tanks, pipes, etc. Work is in progress within the Agency to try and develop a standard in order that the devices can be made licence exempt. The gauges can be used in screened enclosures, however, in some locations open tanks are used. Most applications are on Industrial or Commercial sites.

The current cost is £50 per site and is renewable each year. In addition where more than one manufacturers equipment is used on the site then a further fee is required. Any number of pieces of equipment can be used on the site.

Once a standard can be agreed with Industry and the frequencies/power levels agreed in NFAP then it is proposed that these devices are made Licence Exempt, so no fee would be charged.

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