Ofcom has today published a joint statement with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on the use of 978 MHz spectrum for safety devices on drones.
These safety devices (Universal Access Transceivers) make other aircraft aware of a drone’s position. They are required for some important applications, for example enabling innovation and efficiency in managing critical infrastructure. With this equipment, drones can, for instance, inspect wind turbines and power lines to see if repairs are needed.
This new authorisation will be incorporated in our existing drone licence from today. Most consumer drones do not need any Ofcom licence as they typically use licence-exempt spectrum. However, most commercial or advanced users, especially those wanting to use drones at long distance, need a licence from Ofcom and likely from the CAA.
The 978 MHz spectrum is used for drones internationally, and in the UK these frequencies have been shared between aeronautical use and low-power radio microphones in programme making and special events (PMSE) since 2016.
From today, we will no longer license 978 MHz spectrum for PMSE users in outdoor settings, but they can continue to use it indoors, and we are expanding the range of other frequencies that are available to PMSE users both indoor and outdoor (including 1015-1016 MHz, 1044-1045 MHz, 1075-1076 MHz and, 1104-1105 MHz). As a result, PMSE users will have more spectrum than before.
With this new arrangement we consider the risk of interference to be negligible and that this is the most efficient and appropriate use of spectrum that enables the use of wireless devices for all parties.