Ofcom 420-470 MHz Consultation

Ofcom has published a call for inputs as part of its strategic review of the 420-470 MHz spectrum band (UHF bands 1 and 2).

This will help Ofcom to understand whether its current approach to managing the band is able to meet the needs of current and future users.

Uses for the band are diverse and complex and its configuration is not fully aligned with the European configuration plan.

Users include business radio, the emergency services and utilities, among others. With potential new users also wanting to make use of these frequencies, demand is increasing.

This document invites comments from stakeholders on Aegis’s findings, as well as other input which stakeholders consider relevant to our analysis of the 420 - 470 MHz band, including our proposed work program for the next phase of our strategic review.

This call for inputs closes on 19 February 2015. You can respond - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/420-470-mhz/

Strategic Review of UHF Spectrum at 420-470 MHz - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/420-470-mhz/summary/420-470-mhz.pdf

A separate report from Aegis, examining future demand scenarios for this band over the next ten years - http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/420-470-mhz/annexes/aegis-report.pdf

Brazil to extend FM broadcast band

Countries including Brazil and China are planning to extend the FM broadcast band.

Brazil intends to extend the FM band down to 76 MHz while Beijing is considering a lower limit of 64 MHz.

Question about FM Band extension in Brazil and elsewhere: On a question raised by one of the Forum members, the Brazilian regulator ANATEL was contacted, who confirmed the planned extension of the FM band down to 76 MHz. This was in fact agreed already. It was remarked that there will be a problem with RDS then in the range 76-87.5 MHz, with no AF codes being defined for that range. With RDS 2.0 this problem could be solved however. It was also remarked that China plans to use FM radio down to 64 MHz, a matter also to be followed up for RDS 2.0. - RDS Forum

Read the RDS post - http://www.rds.org.uk/2010/2014-Forum-Meeting.htm

NoV suggestion for Airborne Ham Radio

The RSGB response to the Ofcom licence consultation raises the suggestion of the use of NoV’s for aeronautical amateur radio operation

The UK amateur radio licence currently prohibits airborne operation and amateurs have had to transmit using licence exempt spectrum instead.

Ofcom and the RSGB are consulting over the use of aeronautical Amateur / Ham Radio operation

The Society is critical of Ofcom's proposals regarding 470 kHz pointing out they do not align with the Wireless Telegraphy Act, nor are they the minimum necessary under the ITU Radio Regulations. The RSGB also say the 470 kHz proposals set a dangerous precedent in relation to interference.

Regarding the proposal to remove the 15 minute ID requirement and replace it with‘as frequently as practicable’ the Society say it is open to too great a range of interpretation (and in some cases might be more burdensome than the well known 15-minute rule). The RSGB also suggests there is currently an ambiguity regarding embedding callsign data in modes such as Digital Voice.

Read the full RSGB response, airborne is referenced in Question 9 - http://rsgb.org/main/files/2014/09/141020_RSGB_LicenceReview-Response.pdf

RSGB – UK Amateur Licence Review - http://rsgb.org/licencereview