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This leaflet gives information about the following Private Business Radio (PBR) licences:
and should be read when completing the application forms RA 1 (for new licences) and RA 1A (for amending or adding stations to existing licences). Private Business Radio servicesA Private Business Radio (PBR) service is a radio system used to pass messages to, from or between mobile units as an aid to conducting business. It is solely for business use and is not intended to be used for personal communications or in connection with hobby or leisure activities. Other licence categories (e.g. CB radio) cater for this type of facility and applications for non-commercial use will be refused by the Ofcom. To operate a PBR speech and data service you must hold one of the following PBR licences:On-site PBR Speech and Data Systems licenceThe On-site PBR Speech and Data Systems licence is for systems that operate in a limited area normally up to 3 km in radius from a specified location. An On-site PBR speech and data system has either a base station for communicating with mobile stations or just mobile stations for communicating directly with each other. Only one radio system per on-site coverage area can be licensed. Speech systems for religious observance purposes are licensed by the On-site PBR licence (see On-site Religious Observance Service below). Wide Area PBR Speech and Data Systems licenceThe Wide Area PBR Speech and Data Systems licence is for systems operating more than 3 km and typically up to 30km in radius from a specified location. A wide area PBR speech and data system has a base station for communicating with mobile stations. Additional base stations can be applied for to improve coverage within the service area. National and Regional PBR licenceThe National and Regional PBR licence is for national and regional exclusive speech and data systems. A national system provides coverage throughout the United Kingdom and a regional system provides coverage throughout one or more, but not all, of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Any number of base stations or operating sites can be licensed provided they are within the national or regional coverage area. PMR (Standard) licenceThe PMR (Standard) licence is for UK General speech systems that operate anywhere in the United Kingdom provided the Ofcom has been notified 14 days in advance of the intended use. A UK General system has either hand-portable or mobile radios. Base stations are not permitted. If use in any one location is planned for more than one year, an appropriate alternative PBR licence should be applied for. Any number of operating sites can be licensed. ChannelsDue to the shortage of available channels, it is not possible to cater for radio services operated for personal reasons or to assist in the pursuit of leisure activities. For the same reason, users may have to share a channel with other users operating in the same service area. However, when assigning channels, Ofcom looks at the intended use of the service and for some types of use, will avoid, as far as possible, making you share in your immediate service area. You should note too that it may be necessary to change the channel(s) assigned to your service. Operational coverage areaAntenna sitingIf your radio service has a base station, its effective communication range is largely governed by the antenna height. In general, the lower the height of the base station antenna, the smaller the range. However, as an antenna installed too high for its required range can give rise to excessive interference, Ofcom may place limits upon the antenna height to ensure that it is consistent with providing only the required service area. On-siteThe use of radiating cables or antennas inside buildings is recommended. If an outside antenna has to be used because of the characteristics of the site, the Ofcom would normally expect the height of the antenna to be less than 10 metres above ground level. Wide areaMost wide area services have antennas less than 30 metres above ground level. If the range achieved with such an antenna is insufficient, additional base stations or a higher antenna may be required. A higher antenna will make an assignment of a channel more complicated and Ofcom may limit the effective radiated power (ERP) of the installation. Coverage areasIt is current Ofcom policy that the typical coverage area for an On-site PBR system is normally up to 3km and for Shared Wide Area PBR systems coverage areas are typically up to 30km. Base ERP levelsOfcom is required to ensure good spectrum management practice and in doing this Ofcom normally assigns base ERP levels of 2W for on-site systems and 10W for shared wide area systems. This is because appropriate ERP levels allow greater frequency re-use and more efficient use of the radio spectrum. Sometimes applicants may require a higher ERP level in order to provide satisfactory coverage of their business area. In such cases increases in ERP up to a maximum of 5W for on-site and 25W for wide-area systems may be acceptable. Such cases will be considered on a case by case basis with consideration being given to any possible impact on existing users.
EquipmentAll equipment used must comply with the United Kingdom Radio Interface Requirement published by the Ofcom Ofcom in accordance with Article 4.1 of Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (RTTE) and the mutual recognition of their conformity. Equipment which was first placed on the market before 8 April 2000, must meet a current and relevant type approval specification, details of which are contained in information sheet RA108. available from our Library and Information Service (see page 4 for contact details). It is the licensee's responsibility to ensure that the system meets these requirements and complies with the technical parameters detailed in the schedules. The licensee must be capable of providing acceptable documentary evidence, on request within 28 days, for all or any part of the system to a representative of the Secretary Of State for Trade and Industry. Non-speech signallingIn its simplest form a PBR service provides communication solely in the form of speech. Signalling improves a PBR service by providing some of the operator functions automatically, such as identifying a user or providing status information. It can also ease channel sharing problems. The preferred forms of signalling are: Continuous Tone Controlled Signalling System (CTCSS)CTCSS uses a sub-audible tone which is operated continuously during speech operation to keep radios quiet when receiving unwanted transmissions from co-channel sharers. (Code of Practice MPT1306) Digitally Coded Squelch (DCS)DCS is similar to CTCSS except it uses a digital code in place of a continuous sub-audible tone. (Code of Practice MPT1381) TakeoversLicences are not transferable and cannot be taken over. However, the radio systems and frequencies which make up the licence can be taken over. To takeover an existing radio system you must submit an application form RA1 together with correct fee if known and enclose a letter of consent from the old licensee agreeing to the takeover. In the case of partnerships all named partners must give their consent. For more detailed information and guidance on takeovers see information sheet RA205. Change of nameA new licence is not required when a licensee changes their name, although a revised licence and schedule(s) are issued. If a public or other limited company changes its name, its company registration number will remain the same. If the number has changed it is likely to be a takeover. When a public or limited company changes its name, it must supply a copy of the change of name certificate issued by Companies House. On-site Religious Observance Radio ServiceThe On-site Religious Observance Radio Service permits the transmission of one-way (base station to receivers) speech messages for religious observance and call to prayer purposes. Messages must not exceed ten minutes and follow on messages must not take place until a period four times the duration of the previous message has taken place. The permitted coverage area for the service will normally be up to 3 km from the base station, but wider coverage areas will be considered. The service uses dedicated channels in the 454 MHz band. Transmitting equipment must comply with the Interface Requirement IR 2001. Religious observance systems are licensed by the On-site PBR licence. 450-470 MHz band realignmentNew licensees in the 450-470 MHz band will be informed in detail about the realignment of the band shortly after their licence is issued. From the beginning of 2005 the 450-470 MHz band will be realigned to configure with that of our European neighbours. This process of realignment will begin in January 2005 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is scheduled to take place in a rolling programme lasting several years. The realignment in Scotland will begin two years later, in 2007. The realignment of frequencies will require the majority of licensees to adjust or replace their existing equipment. There is no intention to remove users from the band but to simply change their operational frequency or frequencies. All licensees who so wish will be reallocated frequencies within the 450-470 MHz band. The Ofcom will notify all licensees individually of their new frequency or frequencies and the date upon which this change will be implemented. The intention will be to give six months notice of the date when the change has to be implemented. |
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