[commedia] Spectrum management

[Steve Buckley]

Released today....

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Government welcomes Independent Review of Spectrum

Wide-ranging recommendations for future of spectrum management

The Government welcomed the publication today of the Independent Review of 
Spectrum Management, conducted by Professor Martin Cave.

The independent review, announced in March 2001, was established to look at 
the future of spectrum management, and develop principles that will 
underpin an economically efficient use of radio spectrum. The review 
published an issues paper in June 2001, setting out initial areas of 
interest, and consulted widely with industry, academia and Government.

The review has made 47 wide-ranging recommendations that include:

· auctions to be used as the preferred means to assign spectrum;
· granting trading rights to help develop the market for spectrum trading; and
· liberalising restrictions on use of individual spectrum bands.

Douglas Alexander, E-commerce Minister, said:

"Spectrum is an invaluable national asset. It is a vital resource for 
essential public services and the key to success for many industries.

"But it is a finite resource and we need the right balance of market 
incentives and regulation to make sure it is used as efficiently as possible.

"This independent review has addressed these issues."

Paul Boateng, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said:

"I welcome the publication today of this review of spectrum management and 
thank Martin Cave and his team for their work. The review raises important 
questions about the efficient management of this essential public asset. 
Government and industry needs to take time to consider the recommendations 
in the review, which is why we are inviting comments on the report. We hope 
to present a formal government response in the summer."


Notes for editors


1. The Government invites further comment on the Review's recommendations. 
Comments can be sent to: Laurence Green, Radiocommunications Agency, 
Wyndham House,189 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SX, or e-mailed 
to  spectrum.review at ra.gsi.gov.uk The closing date for responses is Friday 
10 May.
2. The Independent Review of Spectrum Management, jointly commissioned by 
the DTI and H M Treasury, was first announced in the Pre Budget Report, 
November 2000. The review remit and the appointment of Professor Martin 
Cave were announced in March 2001.
3. Professor Martin Cave, of Warwick Business School, formerly Vice 
Principal of Brunel University, has published on a wide range of subjects, 
including telecommunications regulation and spectrum management as well as 
competition policy and higher education. He has also advised OFTEL and a 
number of regulatory bodies. He is a member of the Competition Commission.
4. More information about the review, and to download a copy of the report, 
please visit the Spectrum Review website  www.spectrumreview.radio.gov.uk
The Communications White Paper was published in December 2000 by the 
Department for Trade and Industry, and the Department for Culture, Media 
and Sport. It sets out the institutional framework for communications 
regulation, including the establishment of a single regulator for the 
sector. This single regulator will incorporate the spectrum management 
functions of the Radiocommunications Agency
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            steve at commedia.org.uk
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