Ofcom has issued a consultation concerning a specific aspect of its wider proposals to set annual spectrum licence fees that reflect the full market value of spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands. The document says the new consultation document concerns "the methodology that we propose to adopt if we were… Read more...

In previous statements Ofcom has said that licence-exempt cognitive devices using interleaved spectrum from the digital dividend should either sense the presence of other signals or  use a geolocation database to determine which spectrum was unused. In its July statement Ofcom put forward parameters for sensing but noted that further… Read more...

This report provides an overview of what cognitive radio is and how it works; compares approaches in the EU and the US; and identifies different regulatory frameworks in which it could operate. The RSPG also argues that a harmonised European approach will "exploit economies of scale and encourage industry investment".… Read more...

UK regulator Ofcom has launched a second consultation setting out revised proposals for the application of Administered Incentive Pricing to some aeronautical uses of spectrum, and in particular the use of VHF communications frequencies in the 117.975 to 137 MHz band. Ofcom proposes to start charging license fees for this… Read more...

The RSPG is seeking views on its draft work programme for 2010 before it is finalised. The draft includes: Drawing up the first Multiannual Radio Spectrum Policy Programme. Topics are likely to be technology neutrality, service neutrality, flexible spectrum management, promotion of spectrum trading and common policy objectives to improve spectrum efficiency. Common approaches to the… Read more...

The UK regulator is consulting stakeholders on what criteria should be used when holders of radio multiplex licences apply for renewal. Ofcom is also proposing to charge for the spectrum occupied by DAB broadcasters from the end of 2014 using Administered Incentive Pricing.  However, this is dependent on government policy… Read more...

The UK regulator is seeking comments on its proposals to introduce RSA in the 3600-4200 MHz band for Fixed Satellite service (FSS) and the 1690-1710 MHz and 7750-7850 MHz bands for the Meteorological Satellite Service (Metsat). Ofcom is proposing the introduction of RSA in these bands because several receive-only earth… Read more...

Following a 2007 consultation, the UK regulator adopted a policy of not renewing commercial radio analogue licences beyond 31 December 2015 in order to maintain flexibility ahead of legislation on digital switchover which was not expected before then. However, licensees already providing a digital service on a DAB multiplex may… Read more...

The UK regulator has issued a consultation paper in which it seeks comment from all telecoms and broadcast stakeholders on how to proceed with gathering information for a new three-yearly mandatory report to the government on the UK's communications infrastructure. The first report is due to be submitted in August… Read more...

The UK regulator is seeking comments on legislation it proposes bringing into effect in November 2010. This would involve replacing the Wireless Telegraphy act of 2006 with new regulations. These would liberalise current licence exemption criteria for high density fixed satellite services, railway level crossing radar, underwater system use below… Read more...