Citation, commencement and interpretation

1. These Regulations may be cited as the 823–832 MHz and 1785–1805 MHz etc. Frequency Bands (Management) Regulations 2015 and come into force on 2nd October 2015.

2. In these Regulations—

“Commission Decision” means Commission Implementing Decision 2014/641/EU of 1st September 2014 on harmonised technical conditions of radio spectrum use by wireless audio programme making and special events equipment in the Union( 3 );

“OFCOM” means the Office of Communications as established by the Office of Communications Act 2002( 4 );

“non-interference and non-protection basis” has the meaning given by Article 2 of the Commission Decision;

“wireless audio PMSE equipment” has the meaning given by Article 2 of the Commission Decision.

Designation of spectrum for wireless audio PMSE equipment

3. — (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)OFCOM must ...—

(a) designate and make available, on a non-interference and non-protection basis, the 823–832 MHz and 1785–1805 MHz frequency bands for wireless audio PMSE equipment, subject to the technical conditions set out in the Annex to the Commission Decision; and

(b) designate and make available radio spectrum in addition to the spectrum covered by sub-paragraph (a) so that an additional amount of at least 30 MHz can be used for wireless audio PMSE equipment, subject to user demand and on a non-interference and non-protection basis with regard to users who have an individual right to use such spectrum.

4. Notwithstanding regulation 3(2)(a), any authorisations and rights to use spectrum in the 823–832 MHz and 1785–1805 MHz frequency bands which existed on 1st September 2014 may be continued, but only until expiry thereof and to the extent necessary.