Statutory Instruments

2020 No. 1241

Electronic Communications

The Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2020

Made

9th November 2020

Coming into force

27th November 2020

The Office of Communications ("OFCOM") make the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 29(1) to (3) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006(1) (the "Act").

Before making this Order, OFCOM have given notice of their proposal to do so in accordance with section 122(4)(a) of the Act, published notice of their proposal in accordance with section 122(4)(b) of the Act, and considered the representations made to them before the time specified in the notice in accordance with section 122(4)(c) of the Act.

Citation, commencement and extent

1.-(1) This Order may be cited as the Wireless Telegraphy (Limitation of Number of Licences) Order 2020 and shall come into force on 27th November 2020.

(2) This Order shall not extend to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Limitation of Licences

2.-(1) The Office of Communications ("OFCOM") shall grant a limited number of wireless telegraphy licences for the use of the radio frequencies in the following frequency bands in the United Kingdom-

(a) 703 to 733 megahertz;

(b) 738 to 788 megahertz; and

(c) 3680 to 3800 megahertz.

(2) In determining the number of licences to be granted for the use of the frequencies in these frequency bands and the persons to whom the licences will be granted, OFCOM shall apply the procedure set out in the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Award) Regulations 2020(2).

Philip Marnick

Group Director, Spectrum Group

For and by the authority of the Office of Communications

9th November 2020

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order specifies the radio frequencies for which the Office of Communications ("OFCOM") will grant wireless telegraphy licences.

Article 2(1) provides that a limited number of licences will be granted for the use of frequencies in the specified frequency bands. Article 2(2) sets out the criteria that OFCOM will apply in determining the limit on the number of licences and the persons to whom the licences will be granted.

A full regulatory impact assessment of the effect that this Order will have on the costs to business is available to the public from the OFCOM's library at Riverside House, 2A Southwark Bridge Road, London, SE1 9HA (Tel. 020 7981 3000) and on OFCOM's website at www.ofcom.org.uk. Copies of this assessment have also been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.