The Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2018

Statutory Instruments

2018 No. 89

Electronic Communications

The Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2018

Made

25th January 2018

Coming into force

1st February 2018

The Office of Communications (“OFCOM”) make the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 29(1) to (3) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006(1) (the “Act”).

Before making this Order OFCOM have given notice of their proposal to do so in accordance with section 122(4)(a) of the Act, published notice of their proposal in accordance with section 122(4)(b) of the Act, and have considered the representations made to them before the time specified in the notice in accordance with section 122(4)(c) of the Act.

Citation, commencement and extent

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2018 and shall come into force on 1st February 2018.

(2) This Order shall not extend to the Channel Islands or to the Isle of Man.

Limitation of Licences

2.—(1) The Office of Communications (“OFCOM”) shall grant a limited number of wireless telegraphy licences for the use of radio frequencies in the following frequency bands in the United Kingdom—

(a) 2350 to 2390 megahertz; and

(b) 3410 to 3600 megahertz.

(2) In determining the number of licences to be granted for the use of the frequencies in these frequency bands and the persons to whom the licences will be granted, OFCOM shall apply the procedure set out in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Award) Regulations 2018(2).

Philip Marnick

Group Director of Spectrum Group

For and by the authority of the Office of Communications

25th January 2018

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order specifies the radio frequencies for which the Office of Communications (“OFCOM”) will grant wireless telegraphy licences.

Article 2(1) provides that a limited number of licences will be granted for the use of frequencies in the specified frequency bands. Article 2(2) sets out the criteria that OFCOM will apply in determining the limit on the number of licences and the persons to whom the licences will be granted.

A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that these Regulations will have on the costs to business is available to the public from the Office of Communication’s (“OFCOM”) Library at Riverside House, 2A Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HA (Tel: [phone]) and on OFCOM’s website at www.ofcom.org.uk. Copies of this assessment have also been placed in the library of the House of Commons.

(1)

2006 c.36.

(2)

S.I. 2018/86.