Executive summary
1.1 In our consultation published on the 10th October 2007 we set out proposals to allow the temporary use of PMR (Private Mobile Radio) and PMSE (Programme Making & Special Events) services in the ex-ERMES high power band 169.6125 to 169.8125 MHz as permitted in the EC Decision 2005/928/EC. We received five responses to the consultation, each of which broadly supported Ofcom’s proposal to permit PMR and PMSE in the band on a temporary basis. We have therefore decided to allow access to the ex-ERMES band for both PMR and PMSE systems on a secondary basis for periods of up to a maximum of six months.
1.2 EC Decision 2005/928/EC does not permit us to offer this spectrum to the market on a more technology neutral basis. We will continue to monitor whether there is any interest in using this band for the primary uses of asset tracking and paging. We may use this data to support any future proposal to amend EC Decision 2005/928/EC.