The UK communications regulator Ofcom has announced that the Licence Variations authorising the establishment and use of beacons and repeaters respectively are due to expire at the end of March 2014

Ofcom has published on their website a notice that explains the options for beacon and repeater keepers. Ofcom will also be writing to all licensees who hold one of these variations to invite them to renew it until March 2017.

They note that if a beacon or repeater is not used (or has never been put into operation) and if its assignment is preventing them from authorising another station, then Ofcom may further vary the licence to withdraw the facility, to enable them to assign the frequency to the new applicant.

Ofcom Beacon and Repeater notice - http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-licences/amateur-radio/licensing-updates/beacon-repeater-variations