Telecoms | UK Regulatory Outlook February 2024

Ofcom consultation on regulations to update the fees for Wireless Telegraphy Act licences

Ofcom is currently consulting on a set of proposed regulations, which if implemented would amend the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) Regulations 2020. The proposed regulations would introduce three new licence products and their associated fees.

Ofcom is responsible for authorising civil use of the radio spectrum and does this by granting wireless telegraphy licences. Under the 2020 regulations, Ofcom is able to recover the cost of administering and managing licences, and is permitted to recover sums greater than those incurred in performing its spectrum management functions.

The proposed regulations would:

• extend Ofcom's Shared Access framework to the 26 GHz band (24.45-27.5 GHz) and in the 40 GHz band (40.5-43.5 GHz). Licences would be subject to fees ranging from £80 - £640;
• introduce a new licence product – the Enhanced Long-Range Navigation (eLoran) systems – following Ofcom's October 2023 decision to authorise use of the 90-110kHz spectrum band for these systems. Each licence would be subject to an annual licence fee of £200;
• introduce a new licence product – the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operator Radio Licence – following Ofcom’s decision in December 2022 to introduce a new licence that authorises the use of a range of radio equipment on drones. Licences would have an indefinite duration would be subject to an annual fee of £75; and
• remove the High Duty Cycle Network Relay Points licence product and associated fee following Ofcom’s decision in April 2021 to make equipment across the 870-874.4 MHz band exempt from the need to hold a licence.

The consultation closes on 12 March 2024. After taking into account any responses, Ofcom expects to release a statement on the consultation in May 2024, and bring in the regulations as soon as practicable.