Licence Fees for 412 MHz Spectrum

/

Ofcom has today set the licence fees for the 412–414 MHz and 422–424 MHz paired spectrum, which is licensed to Arqiva and Airwave.

Arqiva won this spectrum in a 2006 auction, with a 15-year initial licence period. The initial period comes to an end in October 2021, at which point an annual licence fee will become payable. Arqiva traded the spectrum with Airwave in 2008 – making Airwave the co-licensee.

Following consultation, we have decided to set an annual licence fee of £396,000 per MHz per year for the 412 MHz spectrum, which is based on the fees Business Radio users already pay for a UK-wide licence in nearby bands.

The annual licence fee will apply from 31 October 2021.

Proposed Strategy for Managing Irish Radio Spectrum 2022-2024

/

The Irish Radio Transmitters Society report that ComReg, the Commission for Communication Regulation, has published a document, ComReg 21/90, seeking consultations on a wide range of licensing issues, mainly in the commercial field.

There are, however, several significant issues for the amateur community that need careful consideration and measured responses.. This is a must-read document for anyone interested in the future of our hobby and submissions on its contents close at 1600 on October 22nd.

Among the questions raised are, how amateurs might meet the terms of their licence conditions relating to non-ionising radiation, a request by the Marconi Radio Group for an increase in output power for everyone and a submission seeking the introduction of an entry level or novice licence.

Proposed Strategy for Managing Irish Radio Spectrum 2022-2024 - https://www.comreg.ie/media/2021/09/Comreg-2190.pdf

FCC Seeks Comments in Proceeding Involving 70 and 5 Centimetres

/
FCC Seeks Comments in Proceeding Involving 70 and 5 Centimetres

FCC Releases Further Notice in Satellite Launch Proceeding Involving 70 and 5 Centimeters

The FCC is soliciting a second round of comments on whether to authorize commercial space entities to obtain licenses for frequencies used exclusively during space launch activities. The proposals include parts of the 70-centimeter (420 – 430 MHz) and 5-centimeter (5650 – 5925 MHz) bands. The federal government is allocated this spectrum on a primary basis and routinely uses it during space launches, but commercial space companies must obtain short-term Special Temporary Authority (STA) authorizations from the FCC to use it for the same purpose.

The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in commercial space launches. In March, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) streamlined its commercial space launch and reentry licensing regulations. In April, the FCC adopted some of its proposals from 2013 and solicited additional comment in a Further Notice on the above proposals in ET Docket No. 13-115, “Allocation of Spectrum for Non-Federal Space Launch Operations.” The proposals would allow private commercial space companies to obtain regular FCC licenses instead of launch-specific STAs in a number of bands, including 420 – 430 MHz and 5650 – 5925 MHz. The federal government, including the US Department of Defense, is the primary user of both bands. Amateur operations are allocated on a secondary basis. The FCC again seeks comment on whether it should give commercial space launch entities access to the same limited space launch uses already employed by the federal government on this spectrum.

Read More