Radiocommunications licences

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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.

Delays in applications and responses

Due to high volumes of work, there may be delays in processing applications and responding to enquiries. However, we still aim to complete applications within our turnaround times published in Section 4 of the Wireless Telegraphy (Licensing Procedures) Regulations 2010.

If your enquiry relates to Amateur, Ships or Business Radio Light Licences, we recommend using our online licensing portal, where you can update you contact details or apply for a new licence quickly and efficiently.

Amateur radio

Business radio

Ships' radio and ship portable radio

TV white space: manually configurable white space devices

White spaces are gaps in the radio spectrum which can be used to offer wireless applications. TV white space devices (WSDs) are radio equipment which can transmit in the digital terrestrial TV band (470-790MHz) 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).

While most WSDs are expected to operate on a licence-exempt basis in the future, many do not currently meet Ofcom’s requirements for licence exemption. Ofcom has therefore authorised the licensing of manually configurable white space devices (MCWSDs) under a transitional arrangement which will bring benefits to citizens and consumers earlier than would otherwise be the case.

MCWSDs are devices 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. MCWSDs cannot be operated without a Wireless Telegraphy licence issued by Ofcom under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, and only if the device conforms to the requirements of the licence.

MCWSDs will be licensed on a transitional basis and Ofcom intends to review by the end of 2018 whether a licensing regime is still required.

Whether operating on a licence exempt basis or in accordance with a Wireless Telegraphy Licence, 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.

White space database operators

More information on white space databases

The MCWSD licence imposes a number of 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)

Aeronautical radio

Aeronautical radio licensing covers aircraft radio licences, aeronautical ground station licences and navigation aids, including radar. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the UK agency responsible for air safety and is also responsible for managing aeronautical radio assignments. The CAA distributes all aeronautical radio licences on behalf of Ofcom.

Update 14 September 2018: Ofcom to issue aeronautical radio licences

From 2 November 2018, Ofcom will issue and administer aeronautical radio licences. The CAA will cease all administrative activities around radio licensing on 31 October 2018.

See our update, FAQs, and other information for aeronautical radio licensees.

Fixed terrestrial links

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.

Information and applications for fixed link licences

Fixed wireless access (the 5725 – 5850 MHz band)

The Internet of Things

Licensed short range devices

The following short range devices require a licence from Ofcom:

Ground probing radar

A ground probing radar (GPR) is a device that uses radio waves for the purpose of detecting or obtaining images of buried objects, or determining the physical properties beneath the ground. The emissions from a GPR are intentionally directed down into the ground for this purpose, and systems are designed to operate only when in contact with, or within close proximity to the ground.

Radar level gauges

Equipment for non-contact level measurement. A licence is required for the use of radar level gauge equipment whose emissions fall within the band 10.6 GHz to 10.7 GHz; other equipment is licence-exempt.

High duty cycle network relay points

Network relay points (NRPs) are used in some networks to connect individual devices together and to connect devices to networks. They aggregate and concentrate data from consumer devices and need to talk and listen to these. The ratio of talk to listen time is referred to as duty cycle. For most NPR devices the duty cycle will likely be below 2.5%, but for higher-duty cycles, a licence is required.

Apply for a short range device licence

Maritime radio (excluding ship radio)

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)

Apply for or amend a maritime radio licence

Information for maritime radio licensees

Mobile and wireless broadband

Innovation and trial licensing (non-operational for testing, research or demonstration)

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.

Offshore mobile

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, 421.1 KB)

Programme-making and special events (PMSE)

Satellite earth stations and GNSS repeaters

Spectrum Trading

Radiocommunications licences

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Delays in applications and responses

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