In keeping with the lighter touch, Ofcom is proposing four options for the future of licensing radio amateurs:1. The first option (considered the most likely) is to issue licenses for life.The other three alternatives are:i. Wireless Telegraphy Act licence exemptionii.Maintain the existing licensing regime but with an extended renewal periodiii.… Read more...

Proposals to apply RSA to radio astronomy (technical parameters included) in a bid to enhance certainty about levels of interference in related bands. In addition spectrum pricing and trading may be extended as an incentives to use spectrum more efficiently. * Consultation will take place on draft regulations in Quarter… Read more...

Update: December 5, 2013 The deadline for this consultation has been extended to January 3, 2014. It announced the extension on the same day that it released a report on "Spectrum Attribution Metrics". October, 2013 The UK telecommunications regulator has issued a consultation on its spectrum management strategy for the… Read more...

Britain's communications ministry and seven other major government departments have issued a document proposing ways of identifying and releasing at least 500 MHz of sub-5 GHz public sector spectrum over the next 10 years. The document reveals five bands which have been identified as suitable for further investigation, and sets… Read more...

Ofcom has issued a consultation concerning its plans to release a total of 12 MHz of UHF spectrum for Short Range Devices (SRDs) on a licence exempt basis. Ofcom has already announced its intention to authorise this band for SRDs and this consultation concerns the use of technical conditions that… Read more...

Ofcom is consulting on whether the markets for the supply of wholesale mobile voice call termination (MCT), the service necessary for a network operator to connect a caller with the intended mobile recipient of a call on a different network, are effectively competitive, and if not what changes could be… Read more...

Interpreting the criteria to be applied when awarding national and local radio multiplex licences. The criteria are contained in sections 47 and 51 of the Broadcasting Act 1996. Issues include roll out, coverage and content of proposed services. Read more...

Joint proposals from UK regulator Ofcom and Republic of Ireland regulator ComReg for a coordinated approach to awarding licences in the 1785-1805MHz band across the whole island of Ireland. The regulators propose two single licences one for the Republic and one for Northern Ireland. Both would be technology and application… Read more...

Ofcom is seeking views on the nine priorities identified in its Annual Plan, including releasing and liberalising spectrum. Planned spectrum release includes the bands at 412-414 MHz, 422-424 MHz, 872-876 MHz, 917-921 MHz and part of the L-Band spectrum (1452-1492 MHz), as well as preparation for the award of the… Read more...

Consultation on Ofcom's preliminary views relating to whether BT should be allowed to depart from its published prices in instances where its services can now be replicated by competitors. Further consultation is expected on services found to be replicable. Read more...