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A Strategy for the Future Use of the Radio
Spectrum in the UK
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A Strategy for the Future Use of the Radio
Spectrum in the UK
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The Radiocommunications Agency’s mission is to facilitate access to radio spectrum, of the appropriate quality, for the widest range of services and so to promote the creation of wealth, competition and choice. This mission will be achieved through implementation of the strategic plan as detailed in the key policy objectives described below and for specific services as shown in Appendices A and B.
KEY POLICY OBJECTIVES
The RA aims to
Maximise the use of the radio spectrum by:
(i) ensuring use of the best available frequency range appropriate to the application, in the most efficient manner that technology allows, and through promotion of competition. In any new market the RA would endeavour to provide sufficient spectrum to permit the sustainable operation of at least three separate competing operators;
(ii) enabling higher density usage within service allocations through supporting studies to identify more efficient technologies and improve frequency planning models and sharing criteria;
(iii) seeking opportunities for compatible applications to share allocations of spectrum, e.g., cellular radio in defence allocations, radio microphones in broadcast bands, to make best possible use of the resource. These will be supported by an extensive programme analysing the usage characteristics of specific services and identifying best-fit sharing scenarios;
iv) reallocating or re-assigning spectrum to other services/users if spectrum allocated to a service/use is not taken up within a reasonable time-scale. The timescale to trigger such considerations will vary depending on circumstance but will be made clear to all parties in good time. When necessary, in order to promote enhanced spectrum management, proposals may be developed to encourage migration before the economic life of the installed equipment has expired.
Endeavour to ensure access to the radio spectrum for all users in accordance with the strategic plan. Decisions on relative priorities between applications will be informed by a programme of studies on the economic and social impact of radiocommunications. The first study, on the economic impact of the use of radio in the UK by NERA and Smith Systems Engineering Limited, has already been published. Emphasis will be given to the delivery of a quality service to customers with a move to targets based on quality. Promote innovation in radio technologies and services by supporting research and development (R&D) of more spectrally efficient technologies; working closely with customers on novel and innovative uses of the spectrum; promote efficiency in spectrum usage, underpinned by standards and licensing policies. The RA's own R&D programme, funded from licence fee income (see list of RA research projects in Annex C), will be focused on:
i. Elaborating the usable limits of the spectrum in the interest of improving engineering and technology;
ii. Providing pre-competitive research into the feasibility of new technologies and applications;
iii. Studies to increase the scope for sharing and to enhance spectrum efficiency.
The RA aims to
Foster international harmonisation of spectrum allocations by support of and encouragement for harmonisation of spectrum use in Europe and world-wide, ensuring that UK interests as a whole are not compromised, whilst recognising that harmonisation may not always be desirable or necessary. The RA will work within global and European frameworks to ensure that the availability of spectrum, regulatory practices, technology and equipment support UK competitiveness both in businesses developing new and more efficient uses of radio and in industries which exploit the advances in communications it affords. This will include:
i) implementing, to the maximum extent possible, a table of European common frequency allocations by the year 2008;
ii) aligning UK frequency usage with Europe, e.g. the re-planning of UK use of the 450-470 MHz band;
iii) committing the UK, where appropriate, to ERC Decisions;
iv) continuing to participate actively in the ITU fora;
v) supporting the development of ETSI standards.
Improve coordination of frequency assignments with other administrations, either through a harmonised European or global approach or, where necessary, by bilateral agreements, to minimise delays and lessen the risk of later complications.
The RA aims to
Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements in order to keep the spectrum clean for the benefit of all users. This will be done by continuously improving local contacts with business users of radio (including further delegation of licensing functions to the Agency’s District Offices, where appropriate to do so), undertaking more monitoring of the spectrum and by taking enforcement action when necessary. RA will also encourage better quality in equipment manufacturing and service provision by the promotion and administration of the Radio Quality Assurance Scheme.
The RA aims to
Improve the collection and presentation of information to allow more informed decision-making on future usage of frequency bands. Sources for this information will include data on global, European and national market trends and developments, user requirements, spectrum monitoring and licence statistics. This will include promoting an extensive programme of inspections and monitoring, including, where practicable, the use of portable unattended systems, such that the RA has an authoritative and regularly updated view of spectrum occupancy which informs its frequency assignment policies and decisions. Results will be published regularly.
Develop a Spectrum Information Database by 1999 which, subject to the constraints of commercial confidentiality, will provide a seamless source of information from the top tier of the international Radio Regulations down to information on channel usage.
Assist in the process of raising awareness of the merits of radiocommunications relative to other forms of communication by, for example, publishing case studies of successful implementation of radio systems.
The RA aims to
Invest in the development of key skills of RA staff through competency programmes, bench-marking of processes, targeted training, staff exchanges with industry and the provision of appropriate tools and systems. Corporate administrative and technical information systems are being developed through the Agency’s information systems strategy to provide all members of staff with the information and tools appropriate to their work.
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