HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Remit of Radio Spectrum Management review announced – Martin Cave [March 2001]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 22 March 2001.

The radio spectrum is a key resource for many new and developing high-tech industries. The management and development of the spectrum will play an important role in creating a knowledge driven economy.

The Chancellor announced in Budget 2001 that Professor Martin Cave, Vice Principal at Brunel University, will lead the independent review of spectrum management.

The review will publish an issues paper in May 2001, setting out initial areas of interest.

Professor Cave said:

“The radio spectrum is a key resource for many new and developing high-tech industries that are important to the future growth and productivity of the UK. Ensuring spectrum is managed in the best interests of the economy will mean we fully benefit from these new technologies. Consultation by the review will be wide and extensive, and involve many interested parties in industry, academia and government.”

The review will ensure that the spectrum management framework is at the forefront of change. It will advise on the principles that should govern spectrum management and what more needs to be done to ensure that all users, including non-commercial users, are focussed on using their spectrum as efficiently as possible. The review will consider the use of spectrum management tools such as spectrum valuation, trading and pricing.

The review will report to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by the end of the year. It will address issues early where its advice will be relevant to the institutional framework for spectrum management proposed in the Communications White Paper.