1. SMAG 01/191 Louise Odell Science & Technology Unit Radiocommunications Agency 0207 211 0152 Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 20th June 2002

2. SMAG 01/192 Consultation Process Consultation from Oct 2001-Feb 2002 Analyse responses from March 2002 Identify common themes and produce summary in April 2002 Sought Ministerial approval in May 2002 Statutory Instrument ‘SI 2002/1590’ laid in Parliament 17 June 2002 SMAG event presenting new policy 21 June 2002 Legislation due to come into force on 8 July 2002

3. SMAG 01/193 Summary of Responses All non-confidential responses on RA website from February Summary of Responses published on the RA website today Summary document identifies the key themes that emerged Slides today condense very complex issue

4. SMAG 01/194 Types of services that might be offered Potentially, very high speed Internet access within a ‘localised’ area Any location with a high volume of public traffic was suggested, i.e. ‘hotspots’ Low cost solution to poor broadband access in rural areas Innovative proposals like community projects and neighbourhood schemes

5. SMAG 01/195 Potential gains or benefits Facilitate quicker, more affordable Internet access in hotspots, public places and rural areas Encourage e-business and Internet usage Enable existing operators to enhance services Improve competition, due to low barriers to entry Revenue generated from selling services Enabling UK manufacturers to compete in global marketplace Ensuring UK remains a good place to do business

6. SMAG 01/196 Bands identified as most suitable for any changes Any band considered for public use should be assessed individually Specific requests for particular bands to be excluded from consideration at this stage Overwhelming support for an early release of 2.4GHz Large support for subsequent release of 5GHz as a migration path

7. SMAG 01/197 Interference potential for existing users of 2.4GHz Great number of existing users Important issue for SRD community WLANs and SRDs can interfere with each other Increased volume of users in the band would increase potential for interference Already operate on a non-interference, non- protected basis Already existed alongside the private WLAN users

8. SMAG 01/198 Congestion Concerns expressed Worst case scenario, the band becoming too congested for anybody to use Damage reputation of SRDs and wireless products However, problems are likely to be very localised Reason to avoid the location, but not sufficient to justify not relaxing the restriction on public use Supported by Mason’s study

9. SMAG 01/199 Quality of service information for potential customers Highlighted as an important issue Customers entitled to understand and expect the quality of service they pay for If subject to interference from a compliant source e.g. nomadic SRDs or WLAN how can any service guarantee be given Competing with mature radio technology, commercial imperative to deliver

10. SMAG 01/1910 Spectrum Management Issues Relaxation seen as natural progression for the telecommunications marketplace ‘Light touch’ regulation preferred, little support for licences to be issued Absence of licencing would promote innovation Commercial imperative would ensure effective self regulation/management

11. SMAG 01/1911 Policy Proposals Immediate release of 2.4GHz for LE commercial use In the short term to release DECT spectrum for LE commercial use Acknowledge opposition to further consideration of particular bands LE commercial use In the medium term to release part of 5GHz for commercial use, subject to the 5GHz consultation

12. SMAG 01/1912 Release of 2.4GHz for commercial use Press notice issued on 10 June by Mr Timms No requirement for Wireless Telegraphy (WT) Act licence for 2400.0-2483.5MHz However must still, –Comply with UK Radio Interface requirement (IR) 2005 –Comply with requirements of the Telecommunications Act (T ACT)

13. SMAG 01/1913 Compliance with UK Radio Interface Requirement (IR) 2005 The 1999 Regulations require that…. “…apparatus shall not cause or contribute to any undue interference”

14. SMAG 01/1914 Compliance with IR 2005 The amendment to 1999 Exemption Regulations permits: “…..relevant apparatus operating in the frequency band 2400.0 to 2483.5 MHz to be used in the provision of a public telecommunication system” and provides that: “…..relevant apparatus shall comply with UK Radio Interface Requirement 2005”.

15. SMAG 01/1915 Compliance with IR 2005 Use of equipment: which does not comply with IR2005, or outside of the Regulations does not qualify for licence exemption Such use is unlicensed and an offence contrary to section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949

16. SMAG 01/1916 Interference “ licence exempt services are not afforded protection from interference arising from other authorised services”. Reference: Strategy for the Future Use of the Radio Spectrum in the UK (2002), Chapter 7, page 111. “ Where interference is received from an authorised service which is operating in accordance with the terms of an appropriate licence or under licence exemption conditions, then the Agency cannot provide any protection”. Reference: RA Short Range Devices Information Sheet (RA114)

17. SMAG 01/1917 Interference Commercial services operating in the 2400.0 to 2483.5 MHz band will do so on a non-protected basis The Agency does not investigate interference arising from co-channel or adjacent users or any other authorised source. Only where it is shown that interference is as a result of illegal operation will the Agency investigate.