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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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Demand for spectrum for self-provided private business radio (PBR) (formerly known as Private Mobile Radio (PMR)) and private paging systems continues. There are now around 40,000 licence holders operating a wide range of systems - from on-site paging systems through to a small number of nation-wide mobile radio networks providing voice and data communications. Although especially for wide area systems, vehicle mounted radios are common, there has been a noticeable shift towards hand portable sets, reflecting the wider use being made of existing mobile radio systems. Demand for private paging systems is weaker than for private mobile radio systems and this seems to reflect the move towards the use of public paging systems or (for on-site use) alternatives such as cordless telephones. A continuing feature of this sector is the preponderance of small users (i.e. those using less than 10 mobiles account for three quarters of the numbers of licences on issue).
There is clear evidence that private business radio systems are being adapted and used in a much more flexible way. There has been a significant degree of interest in use of data, voice privacy and talk-through. The Agency seeks to respond positively to these newer demands within the inevitable constraints of what is still basically a voice communication system for short business messages operated, in the main, on channels shared with other users.
In the light of the high level of demand for spectrum for private business radio, the Agency has encouraged the search for more spectrally efficient technologies. For larger systems, using multiple channels, the Agency has encouraged the use of trunking, where feasible, and more recently the TETRA standard for second generation digital trunked system.
For vast numbers of PBR users, however - who share channels with other users within a locality - TETRA will not be directly relevant and so the Agency has encouraged the development of narrowband technology - i.e. the ability to fit voice/data communications within a 6.25 kHz channel, compared to the current 12.5 kHz channel. Despite much effort on the Agency's part - including the release of spectrum around 220 MHz for narrowband systems - there has been only limited interest in this spectrally efficient technique. In view of the spectrum gains that this approach offers - and the likely continuing demand for single channel uses - the Agency remains committed to encouraging take-up of narrowband systems.
The Agency has also been investing more effort in understanding better the pattern and degree of existing radio usage. Following an intensive monitoring exercise, backed up by a licence survey, the Agency published a report of radio usage in VHF High Band (165 - 174 MHz) in London which led to the re-opening of that band to new applications in late 1995. The Agency is carrying out a series of similar exercises in other PBR bands.
The Agency is also carrying out research to establish a method of determining grade of service for PBR as a way of introducing defined quality measures for PBR channels. This work will form the basis of a new technical assignment system which will aim to provide assignments of appropriate quality and coverage for PBR customers while ensuring that maximum use is made of the inevitably limited spectrum available.
To meet the demand for a basic entry-level product, the Agency launched short range business radio in January 1996. A single licence covers both voice and paging applications and any number of radios/pagers. There is no frequency co-ordination - the specified channels are available to all users - but this will provide business users with hand portable communications over short distances.
As part of the Agency's commitment to rationalising its product range and making its licences more understandable and relevant to customers, the Agency has published its plans to rationalise the confusing number of different kinds of licences in this sector. The current plans are to implement this change in late 1996 or early 1997.
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