From 6 September, anyone living more than 6km from an ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) exchange will be able to get a 512Kbps connection.
This is the first in a series of annual Communications Market reports by Ofcom. The main annual Communications Market publication, which from 2005 will be published in May, will be supplemented by quarterly updates, in October, January and August each year, providing the latest available data on each sector, including:
The report highlights developments during 2003 and the start of 2004 across the electronic communications sector in the UK, covering television, radio and telecoms.
UK spectrum management Trading mechanisms, liberalisation of use, access and innovation
“Ofcom has regulatory responsibilities from broadcasting through to telecommunications. The most significant point of common interest is in the key raw material of most modern communications – the invisible but critically important radio spectrum.
Ofcom has today [6 August 2004] published an overview of the steps it intends to take in 2004-05 to introduce greater flexibility and freedom of use to radio spectrum management.”
A Statement on Spectrum Trading
Implementation in 2004 and beyond
“This Statement follows a public consultation by Ofcom and the Radiocommunications Agency on proposals for the introduction of spectrum trading in the United Kingdom. The consultation, which was published in November 2003, explained that the introduction of spectrum trading and liberalisation would help to encourage efficient use of spectrum by enabling it to be transferred to, and used by, the user that values it most.”
This consultation seeks views on a Bill to consolidate the existing legislation on “Wireless Telegraphy”.
There are currently six Acts relating to this subject including the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Replacing the existing legislation with a single Act will make the legislation much easier for all users of radio spectrum to understand and use. Some legal inconsistencies and problems have been removed from the legislation and the text of the Bill written so that it is easier to understand. A main object of the consolidation Bill is to reproduce the same legal effect as the current legislation. Thus no policy changes to the current legislation have been made.
Specific questions on the Bill are raised in the consultation and general views on the Bill are sought.
Consultation Documents :
Wirelessbillconsultation.doc – Wireless Telegraphy Bill Consultation document
Wirelessbilldraft.pdf – Draft Wireless Telegraphy Bill
Wirelesspre-con.doc – Pre-Consolidation Amendments Order
