The Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings (Cave,2005) reviewed major spectrum holdings, with a view to determining the scope for releasing the maximum amount of spectrum to the market and increasing the opportunities for the development of new services
It was commissioned by the Chancellor in his pre-budget Report of 2004 and published alongside the Chancellor's pre-budget report of December 2005. The report made a number of recommendations for improving efficiency in use of spectrum by the public sector.
The Government response was published in March 2006 and accepted all the recommendations, including one for publication of a biennial "Forward Look" setting out the strategy for improvements in public sector spectrum management. The Government undertook to publish the first Forward Look in March 2007.
Forward look: a strategy for management of major public sector spectrum holdings. March 2007.A revised list of "sharers" who are permitted to use the radiocommunications network run by Airwave MMO2.
On 25 July 2003 a package of EU Directives on Communications will come into force which will alter the regulatory regime under which the telecommunications sector operates currently. One of the principal changes will be the ending of the current individual licensing regime. This will be replaced by a new general authorisation regime.
Between now and the introduction of the new regime companies will continue to be required to apply for individual licences and submit ISVR registration requests, but the following interim fee arrangements will apply:-
· Individual licences without Code powers - £75
· Individual licences with Code powers - £15,000
· ISVR registrations - no charge
Applications for licences which include code powers will be processed in the normal way up until the point where there is insufficient time to complete the statutory public consultation before the ending of the individual licensing regime. However, such applications for the telecommunications code must follow a statutory public consultation and companies should recognise that any application made after early May of this year, which includes an application for the telecommunications code, is unlikely to be granted before the end date of 24th July. Further information on the implementation of the new EU Communications Directives is available at :- http://www.ofcom.org.uk/
a) Directive 2002/21/EC - a common regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services.The Directives are expected to be implemented in all member states on 25 July 2003. The provisions of these Directives will be transposed into national legislation. Individual national regulations will be brought into line with the new Directives.
b) Directive 2002/20/EC - on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services.
c) Directive 2002/22/EC - on universal service and users' rights relating to electronic communications networks and services.
d) Directive 2002/19/EC - on access to, and interconnection of, electronic communications networks and services.
e) Directive 2002/58/EC - concerning the processing of personal data and the protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector.
HMG response to Stewart Report on Mobile Phone health issues including emissions.
Research on the effectiveness of mobile phone radiation shields.
Description of the consultation procedure for companies wishing to be added to the Airwave Sharers list.
Ultra Wide Band (UWB) is an emerging technology for future short distance high data rate wireless communication. It is expected to have a number of potential commercial and mass market applications, but there have been some concerns raised in UK and elsewhere about the interference potential to other radio services. In order to gain an appreciation of the use and the technical implications of UWB BERR commissioned a short independent study. This reviewed UWB technology and the likely issues that would arise. The study concludes that subject to suitable regulatory limits applying, UWB can be readily deployed in the UK without undue interference.
Please note that whilst BERR is in general agreement with the study, the findings do not specifically represent BERR policy. Further, regulations concerning introduction of UWB in the UK are a matter for Ofcom, the independent regulator of civil radio spectrum.
Information on regulatory issues concerning UWB may be obtained from Ofcom www.ofcom.org
Information on BERR technical policy concerning UWB may be obtained from simon.hicks@BERR.gsi.gov.uk
Study into the Regulatory Aspects of the Harmonised Spectrum of UWB and the effect on Licensed Services around 3GHZ