Corrigendum to the Notice of Ofcom's proposal to exempt automotive short-range radars users at 79GHz from wireless telegraphy licensing

1.1 On 9 December 2004, the Office of Communications (Ofcom') published its notice of proposal to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Automotive Short Range Radar) (Exemption) Regulations 2005 (the Proposed Regulations') by exempting the establishment, installation and use of SRR equipment in the 79 GHz range from the requirement to hold a licence contained in section 1(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (the '1949 Act'). The notice of proposal is available here.

1.2 However, it was drawn to Ofcom's attention that there has been an error in relation to the background facts concerning its notice of proposal regarding the occupancy and use of the 79GHz range. The frequency range 77 - 79 GHz is currently used to a small extent by amateur, amateur satellite, radio astronomy, government and radio determination use. Under an EC mandate the compatibility of automotive short-range radar (SRR) equipment with these services was studied by European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) resulting in SRR parameters stated in EC decision 2004/545/EC. These sharing studies concluded SRR could co-exist with these services in the 79 GHz frequency band.

1.3 Since it falls to the UK to implement the EC decision 2004/545/EC, Ofcom does not consider that shared use of the 77-79 GHz frequency range will require any changes to the proposed regulations.

1.4 The draft Wireless Telegraphy Automotive Short Range Radars (Exemption) Regulations 2005 are available in Annex 3 to the notice of proposal. The general effect of the Proposed Regulations is discussed in section 3 of Ofcom's notice of proposal. A Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) for the Proposed Regulations is available in section 4 of the notice of proposal. The RIA sets out the risks, costs and benefits of the proposals and the effects that the proposals will have on the costs to business and will be finalised once the consultation exercise finishes and all comments or representations are taken into account.

1.5 Comments or representations with respect to the proposed regulations are invited by 14 January 2005. A one month consultation period reflects statutory requirements. Comments should be sent to:

Christina Spyrelli
Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HA

020 7783 4312

1.6 Following this consultation, Ofcom intends to make the final regulations as soon as practicable in 2005.

1.7 Hard copies of this notice and the draft Wireless Telegraphy (Automotive Short Range Radar) (Exemption) Regulations 2005 can be obtained from:

Christina Spyrelli
Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HA

020 7783 4312

1.8 Electronic copies are also available and this corrigendum has been placed on Ofcom's website.