Ofcom reforms amateur radio licensing

Telecommunications regulator Ofcom has unveiled its plans to reform amateur radio licensing in the UK. The main change is that amateur radio licences will be issued for life. However, licensees will have to confirm their licence details every five years.

Ofcom will also provide an online service for issuing electronic licenses. Paper licences will remain available for those without internet access but they will be subject to an administrative charge. At present, the Royal Mail processes amateur radio licences through the Radio Licensing Centre.

But from 1 October 2006, Ofcom will take over this role of issuing, renewing and amending amateur radio licences. An Ofcom statement said: “This new approach to amateur radio licensing will reduce unnecessary bureaucracy with this popular international hobby.”

The Radio Society of Great Britain welcomes the reforms to amateur radio licensing. RSGB general manager Peter Kirby, G0TWW, said: “The policy Ofcom has adopted is good news for amateur radio and justifies the stand the RSGB made last year when Ofcom launched its consultation into amateur radio. The licence will be issued for life but will have to be ratified every five years. All the other safeguards the Society asked for are also in the licence.”

Although the Ofcom press release announcing the changes said “Ofcom deregulates the amateur radio licence”, the RSGB is keen to stress that the changes to the licence do not add up to deregulation of the hobby.

“Please be reassured that the hobby has not been deregulated and that all the safeguards the RSGB fought to retain are still in place and will remain so,” said Peter Kirby.

Further details about the changes to the licence can be found at web address: www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/aradio/statement/

Source: GB2RS News - Courtesy of the RSGB