Radiocommunications Agency Independent Review of Radio Spectrum Management

Independent Review of Radio Spectrum Management n Prof Cave n for DTI & Treasury-DCMS n Budget speech n 47 recommendations n 1 million words I

Process for Government Response n Published for comment but not a formal consultation until 10th May n Welcomed in general terms n Detailed response in July n RA in lead in drafting response n CII in lead on broadcasting n Implementation plan in development II

General Principles Underlying Report n Radically (?) change the way spectrum is allocated n Use of markets to allocate spectrum for commercial use n Reserve spectrum for public services and use pricing as incentive for efficient management III

Overarching Vision n Driver n Rapidly changing environment n Maximising economic benefits n Protecting social priorities n Regulatory Response n Maximum Flexibility n generic allocations, secondary trading of licences, transparent predictable regulatory framework n Market Mechanisms n auctions n trading n pricing n Reserved Allocations n reserved spectrum for public services & pricing as an incentive. To be efficient and share with commercial users IV

The Possible Outcome n Most findings likely to be accepted in principle n Those which require new powers will be accommodated in the Comms bill. n But dependent on what others say about the report, cross government views and DTI and Treasury Ministers views V

The areas requiring further consideration n International harmonisation recommendations n Broadcasting recommendations –Use of more generic assignment mechanism –Auctions and trading –Pricing n Interference management being dealt with by users n Impact on users with little market power VI

Radio Users n 230,000 licencees n £128m in income excluding auctions n Range of charges - Vodafone 3G licence 20 years £6 billion n CB user 1 year £15.00 n Range of uses - space sciences;emergency services;mobile phones n Implementation issues with such a wide range of customers VII

Some more detailed issues for consideration. n Trading n Wider Implementation of Pricing n International Issues n Self Management Organisations n Public services spectrum VIII