Radiocommunications licences
To use any radio transmitting device in the UK, it will need to either be licensed, or have a specific licence exemption.
Information about applying for licences in the various sectors is available below.
Amateur radio, sometimes known as ham radio, is both a hobby and a service that uses various types of radio equipment, allowing communication with other radio amateurs for the purpose of self-training, recreation and public service.
If you use a radio system for your business, you need a licence from Ofcom. Business radio users range from taxi companies and factories, to hospitals, care homes, industrial sites and transport operators.
Ships’ radio is used for the safe navigation of vessels and for making distress calls in emergency situations. It enables communication with coast stations, port/harbour authorities and with other vessels.
‘White space’ refers to frequencies that are allocated to a service, e.g. Digital Terrestrial Television, but are not being used locally, so can therefore be used by other radio services and applications. TV white space devices (WSDs) are radio equipment which can transmit in the digital terrestrial TV band (470-694 MHz) in accordance with powers and frequencies communicated by a white space database (WSDB).
A WSD may be automatically configurable or manually configurable. An automatically configurable WSD must not allow a user to modify the settings of the device and may be operated without a licence, provided that it complies with the terms of the Licence Exemption Regulations for WSDs (The Wireless Telegraphy (White Space Devices)(Exemption) Regulations 2015 (as amended)).
Devices that do not currently meet Ofcom’s requirements for licence exemption and which allow a user to modify the settings of the device, such as configuring the device location or the antenna gain in the device before operation, are known as manually configurable white space devices (MCWSDs). MCWSDs must not be operated without a Wireless Telegraphy licence granted by Ofcom under the Wireless Telegraphy Act.
Whether operating on a licence exempt basis or in accordance with a Wireless Telegraphy Licence, all devices must only operate in accordance with operational parameters provided by a WSDB which is operated by an organisation listed in Schedule 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy (White Space Devices) (Exemption) Regulations 2015 (as amended).
More information about TV white space database operators
The MCWSD licence imposes obligations on the licensee for the purposes of mitigating and dealing with interference. Applicants for MCWSDs licences are strongly advised to first read these guidance documents.
OfW570: Guidance for manually configurable white space devices (PDF, 355.9 KB)
How Ofcom uses information about white space devices (PDF, 30.2 KB)
This document explains how Ofcom may use information about the use of white space devices and how this may affect you if you are a device user or owner.
Application for a manually configurable white space device (PDF, 446.7 KB)
Example licence for manually configurable white space devices (PDF, 369.6 KB)
Ofcom issues licences to cover aircraft, ground-air communications and radio navigation aids and radar.
Fixed Terrestrial Links or Fixed Wireless Systems (FWS) refer to terrestrial based wireless systems, operating between two or more fixed points. Using mainly digital technologies, directional antennas and typically operating at very high levels of propagation availability fixed terrestrial links are used to provide network infrastructure and customer access applications across a wide range of frequency bands, currently ranging from 450MHz to 86GHz.
The 5.8 GHz licence (5725 – 5850 MHz band) can allow point-to-multipoint equipment for WISP solutions, broadband internet access, and IP video surveillance.
Register 5.8 GHz Fixed Wireless Access terminals online
Guidance on post-issue registration (PDF, 439.7 KB)
5.8GHz Band C Fixed Wireless Access Licence Application form
The 'internet of things' (IOT) refers to the interconnection via the internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data.
Access to IOT spectrum is available on a licence-exempt basis, or you can obtain spectrum through a Wireless Telegraphy Act licence.
Maritime radio enables ship stations to communicate with each other and with shore stations, primarily for the safety of human life and the protection of vessels. Its main uses include:
- Ship stations (at sea)
- Coast stations (on land)
- Navigation aids and radar
- Automatic identification system
- Search and rescue (distress, urgency and safety)
Spectrum for mobile phones and wireless broadband is generally awarded via auction.
Look up technical information and details of current licensees
Ofcom's longer-term strategies for spectrum release and spectrum management
A local access licence is a mechanism that enables the shared use of spectrum which is already licensed on a national basis to mobile network operators (MNOs), in locations where a particular frequency is not being used.
Local access guidance document (PDF, 232.5 KB)
In July 2019, we introduced a new licensing approach through spectrum sharing which provides localised access to spectrum bands that can support mobile technology. This allows more people and businesses to use spectrum from a choice of frequency bands and could support growth and innovation across a range of sectors.
We made the shared access licence available in four spectrum bands which support mobile technology:
- 1800 MHz band: 1781.7 to 1785 MHz paired with 1876.7 to 1880 MHz;
- 2300 MHz band: 2390 to 2400 MHz;
- 3800 to 4200 MHz band; and
- 24.25-26.5 GHz. This band is only available for indoor low power licences.
Two types of licences are available:
- Low power licence. This authorises users to deploy as many base stations as they require within a circular area with a radius of 50 metres as well as the associated fixed, nomadic or mobile terminals connected to the base stations operating within the area.
- Medium power licence. This authorises a single base station and the associated fixed, nomadic or mobile terminals connected to the base station.
In October 2020, we introduced a new licensing approach for accessing radio spectrum above 100 GHz.
The Spectrum Access: EHF licence provides access to the following band on a licensed basis:
- 57-71GHz
- 116-122 GHz
- 174.8-182 GHz
- 185-190 GHz
The licence is intended to encourage innovators and businesses to develop and use technologies in these higher frequencies.
Non-operational licensing enables the use of radio spectrum to promote the development and trialling of innovative uses of the radio spectrum in the UK.
It covers:
- the testing and development of wireless telegraphy (radio) equipment;
- scientific research and experimentation; and
- trials and demonstrations of radio apparatus.
It does not allow any sort of commercial or operational usage.
See the innovation licensing portal for more information.
Ofcom has, in the past, issued licences to allow the use of mobile technologies on oil rigs and wind farms, in areas not covered under the territorial extent of the network operator licences, by creating bespoke one-off licences. However, with the increasing number of requests for access to spectrum offshore, it has become apparent that a standardised licence product, covering all bands, should be developed. The Spectrum Access Offshore Mobile licence covers all the ‘mobile bands’ (800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz) but only for areas not covered by the rights granted to existing mobile network operators. For most licences this will be outside the 12 nautical mile limit, but for licences issued as part of the 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz award will cover any offshore deployments, subject to coordination with the Ministry of Defence.
This licence product authorises use of spectrum on a strictly non-protection/ non-interference basis, and licensees will have to coordinate between themselves to resolve any problems that arise. There is no restriction on the number of licences that Ofcom will issue, and none of the licences will be technically coordinated by Ofcom. This licence also requires the licensee to meet the transmission levels at the UK coast, as set out in internationally agreed coordination agreements, when deploying systems.
Application form for a Spectrum Access Offshore Mobile licence (PDF, 479.6 KB)
If you are using wireless microphones, talkback (walkie-talkies) and production services for radio and TV, you will need a Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) licence. These are required by law if directly associated with a performance or event.
A satellite earth station is a type of radio equipment used to communicate with a space station (satellite) from the Earth's surface. They can provide telephony, data, backhaul, broadcast feeder links and two-way business/consume broadband or corporate type communications.
Find out more about each licence type, including how to apply
Short-range device (SRD) is a general term applied to various radio devices designed to operate usually on a licence-exempt basis, over short range and at low power levels.
See short-range devices information sheet
The following short range devices require a licence from Ofcom:
- Ground probing radar
- Radar level gauges
- High duty cycle network relay points