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LATEST: 19-Mar-2012

REPRIEVE FOR EXISTING WIRELESS KIT?

This came in from OFCOM via BEIRG re the latest development in the long-running PMSE wireless spectrum.

OFCOM has announced a reprieve for the owners of older wireless systems following the postponement of the auction to 'sell-off' the 600MHz band. The announcement read:

"Use of the 600 MHz band was due to finish at the end of 2012 for PMSE because of the planned auction of the band. Following recent international developments relating to the possible future use of spectrum that neighbours with the 600 MHz band, we will not be proceeding with this auction for the time being. Therefore, in the absence of a 2012 award, we have decided that PMSE can continue using the spectrum until it is released for an alternative use. Consequently, access to the band 550 606 MHz for PMSE will continue until at least 1st April 2013 and might carry on beyond that time subject to Ofcom's conclusions about the approach to releasing this band. JFMG will continue to issue 12-month licences but with a condition allowing for revocation with a minimum of six months' notice."

Speculation that tougher enforcement regulations would drive users to purchase new wireless systems may have been premature since confidence in OFCOM's credibility over the issue wained to rock bottom when it was discovered that the company appointed by them to collect 'nearly redundant' systems and to allocate compensation funding was re-selling the old 'nearly redundant' systems back into the commercial market at a heavily discounted rate - breaching at least the spirit and some say the letter of the franchise they had obtained from OFCOM.  Certainly, any fairness and most of the goodwill went out of the window once the re-selling component became known.  Blood is boiling all over the PMSE wireless users community. The best advice may be to ignore OFCOM's declarations on the subject and wait until your wireless kit needs natural replacement. 

The APRS will continue to keep our eye on this ball - or rather balls-up - on your behalf but you can be forgiven should a disinterested yawn creeps over your face.
 
 

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