Frequently asked questions
Short-term licence
You can apply for a short-term licence online.
Alternatively, you can submit your application form by email to pmse@ofcom.org.uk. Please include:
- when you will need your licence;
- how long you will need it for;
- where you will use it (with postcode);
- the title of the event;
- the type of equipment you will use; and
- the full tuning range of your equipment.
Please make sure that you include contact details for the licensee.
Annual licence
You can download an appropriate application form on our Apply for a PMSE licence page. Please email your completed form to pmse@ofcom.org.uk.
Major events
More information about major events for PMSE licensees is available.
If your licence has not expired, then you can apply to renew it online.
If you do not already have an account on our online portal, please email the PMSE team at pmse@ofcom.org.uk. Please do not create a new account.
If your licence has expired, you can email the PMSE team or call us on 0207 981 3803.
Please email the PMSE team at pmse@ofcom.org.uk for any technical changes to your licence or changes to licensee contact details.
We license frequencies for the period they are required, subject to availability and restrictions that may apply. The minimum charge is at a 48-hour rate and transaction charges may apply.
Certain frequencies are available online for wireless digital video cameras, which qualify for a 12-hour rate.
More information on our PMSE fees is available.
Yes, you will need to pay the fees before we can assign the frequencies and send you your licence.
If you wish to cancel an application because an event is no longer going ahead, then you need to let us know as soon as possible. This is so we can release the allocated frequencies for re-assignment.
If you have applied for frequencies, we have issued your licence and payment has been taken, then you will not be entitled to a refund.
You can pay by credit or debit cards: Access/Mastercard, Visa, Maestro (Switch, Solo).
Please note: you will receive a link via email where you can make payment securely. You must not submit card details in writing to Ofcom’s PMSE team by post or email.
You can also pay by bank transfer to:
National Westminster Bank Ltd, PO Box 2021, 10 Marylebone High Street, Marylebone, London W1U 4BT
Sort code: 60-09-15
Account name: Ofcom
Account number: 86462105
IBAN number: GB69NWBK60091586462105
Please quote our ref: Jxxxxxx
If the frequency or frequencies you need are not available, you can contact the PMSE team to discuss your application. We will let you know if there are any alternative frequencies, subject to availability. Please make sure you have all the relevant information to hand (see How can I apply for a PMSE licence? above).
Please see our PMSE technical information page for more information.
Any equipment that does not require a licence, or is licence exempt, must still comply with the regulations set out in Interface Requirement 2030 (IR 2030) (PDF, 921.8 KB).
There are two types of UK Wireless Microphone Licence.
UHF - UK wide shared access to Channel 38 (606.500-613.500 MHz) internally or externally and licensed on a non-protected basis for either one or two years.
Users can typically achieve 10 radio microphones in this range operating in the same place at the same time. However this can differ case by case. Access is not restricted to specific frequencies and users can re tune within the stated range to any usable frequency.
VHF - UK wide shared access to 15 spot frequencies in the range 175.250 to 209.800 MHz internally or externally and licensed on a non-protected basis for one year only.
These licences are popular due to the one off purchase with no requirement to notify us of where or when these channels are being used. However as the channels are shared users must be prepared to retune to alternative frequencies if interference from other local users is experienced.
Standard Licences are issued when a user wishes to access frequencies that are coordinated with other users or uses.
This licence is used for equipment such as radio microphones, in ear monitors or wireless cameras.
Coordination could take place with other local PMSE frequency users, or for some equipment it will be coordinated to ensure there is no television transmitting that will affect the use.
These licences require users to book on a location by location, date by date basis. Frequencies are booked anywhere between 15 minutes to one year, however annual, long term of fixed site access is usually only permitted for the permanent resident or owner of the site.
Risk of interference on these frequencies is minimal due to the coordination process, however we will support instances of interference on these channels.
Licences are a permit to use frequencies. This means that the first time that a user requests access to frequencies, we will first issue them with a licence. Once the licence is created, the frequencies that a user wishes to access will be added to that licence.
Many short term users regularly require additional frequencies to be added to their licence. We issue a Notice of Variation (NoV) to the licence which details these changes.
We issue two types of PMSE licence - a Standard Licence and a UK Wireless Microphone Licence.
UK Wireless Microphone Licences are used for certain wireless microphone frequencies, and last for a period of one or two years. They are issued to all users who use 'shared' frequencies. The Wireless Mics and Monitors section contains details of these frequencies and licences.
Standard Licences last for a period of one year. They are issued to all users who use 'coordinated' frequencies. These are frequencies where we coordinate the use of frequencies between users, and other services.
In addition, there are ADS licences which have an additional restriction in Schedule 1 noting that licensees must also hold a Broadcasting Act Licence
A Licence is generally made up of the following sections:
- The Licence which contains general licensing terms and conditions.
- Schedule One which describes the terms and conditions specific to the frequencies listed in Schedule Two.
- Schedule Two which includes a list of the frequencies that have been assigned, with technical characteristics, the location or area of operation and times and dates.
UHF (Channel 38)
£85.00 for one year and £155.00 for two years.
If users decide to purchase this type of licence there is a discount for purchasing direct from our website:
£75.00 for one year and £135.00 for two years.
VHF (15 pre defined frequencies)
£85.00 for one year.
If users decide to purchase this type of licence there is a discount for purchasing direct from our website:
£75.00 for one year.
Usually it is the user of the equipment who must hold the licence. There are only two exceptions.
Licence exempt equipment.
Licence exempt equipment includes some wireless microphones and some video equipment. Details can be found in the Equipment section of our website, and full details of all licence exempt equipment is available from Ofcom.
UK Wireless Microphone Licence
Any licensee that holds a UK Wireless Microphone Licence may hire or loan equipment to their customers. Providing the licensee supplies their customer with a written permit, the customer may use the equipment under the licence issued to the hirer. We provide a model form of permit to all licensees.
Licence exempt and shared frequencies may be subject to interference from other users on the same frequency.
This should not happen with coordinated frequencies as these are carefully managed by us.
However, interference can come from many sources such as lights, computers, atmospheric conditions and illegal users. This means that interference free operation cannot be guaranteed.
If you suffer from interference please contact us as soon as possible. We can offer technical support to help quickly resolve interference suffered by licensed customers.
If you were able to resolve the issue yourself, please contact us to report the issue. This may help us identify a long term issue and help prevent a reoccurrence.
An indoor fixed site is a location where the frequency impact of the proposed use would be such that the same frequency could be used at an adjacent site or airborne (though we will normally avoid such assignments).
Permanent (annual) assignments are possible at indoor fixed sites where the owner / occupier of the site is directly responsible for the use of the equipment.
An outdoor fixed site is a location where the frequency impact of the proposed use extends to an area beyond the boundaries of the site such that use of the same frequency within the area is not possible.
Permanent assignments will be individually assessed.
Fees for occasional use can be capped at the 'Area' rate if appropriate.
The frequencies which you can licence high powered links on are in Channel 38.There are two specific channels that can be used which are 606.700MHz and 607.000MHz
Users are not covered to access these high powered links with a UK Wireless Microphone Licence for Channel 38.
A high powered link is classed as an audio link or an amplified wireless microphone with a greater power than 10mW (50mW body-worn) but not exceeding 1W.
Some equipment that is manufactured can tune into frequencies that do not require a licence to operate. There are several licence exempt areas for PMSE use.
The UHF licence exempt range is 863.100-864.900 MHz. This is within Channel 70.
Channel 70 is adjacent to use of mobile in the 800 MHz band. There should not be any interference however this is the risk taken with the licence exempt channels.
The power on channel 70 is limited to 10mw for handhelds and 50mw for body worn transmitters both internally and externally.
There is no limitation to how many frequencies can used in this channel as long as users stay within the confines of the band. On average users would probably be able to use four units at one time.
There are currently no plans to remove access to Channel 70; it will continue to be licence exempt for PMSE users.
There is also a VHF licence exempt range which runs from 173.700-175.10MHz.
A licence exempt WiFi band runs from 2.400-2.4835GHz and is free to use for audio equipment below 10Mw, manufacturers suggest that up to 70 radio microphones could be used at one time in the range, however there are many other uses of this band such as WiFi networks, Bluetooth short range links and microwaves.
| Type of Activity | Included Purposes | Excluded Purposes |
|---|---|---|
| Production of a Television or Radio Programme, either at a permanent Studio or a temporary location, - whether or not it takes place at a public or private event. | Radio facilities directly involved in the production or control of the programme material. As required for the holding, managing, running and termination of the event at the event location and site management, the following activities or personnel: Management staff Contractors’ staff Security First Aid (in both cases, excluding any Safety of Life purpose) Catering Crowd marshals Traffic marshals Car parking Barriers and Signs Construction Maintenance Co-ordination with emergency services or local authorities. | Advertising |
| Public or private event, at any location, eg Sporting Music Theatrical Religious Political Hobby Corporate Retailing - whether or not the event is to be broadcast. | Radio microphones. Communications provided for exclusive use of participants. (Incidental reception of these channels by the public is permitted, subject to the agreement of the licensee) Vision and sound links for distribution to loudspeakers or video screens, and for public address. As required for the holding, managing, running and termination of the event at the event location and site management, the following activities or personnel: Management staff Contractors’ staff Security First Aid (in both cases, excluding any Safety of Life purpose) Catering Crowd marshals Traffic marshals Car parking Barriers and Signs Construction Maintenance Co-ordination with emergency services or local authorities | Advertising Broadcasting for reception by audiences or the general public. |
| Linking of programme material from one fixed site to another fixed site | Annual links (designated frequencies only) 30 day links (designated frequencies only) Occasional use tariff (all other frequencies where available) | Broadcasting for reception by audiences or the general public. |
| Audio Distribution System (ADS) | For direct reception by a closed user group within a small defined area, typically a sports stadium or conference hall, of audio content such as a referee's comments, conference translations, audio descriptions for the visually impaired etc. ADS licensees must also be in possession of a valid ADS-RSL Broadcasting Act licence | Community radio station Radio restricted service (RSL) |
'Included purposes' are those activities for which we can issue a licence.
'Excluded Purposes', are those activities which we cannot licence. Please contact Ofcom for appropriate frequencies.
Information on UK frequency can be found at:
The European communications office can provide information on national contacts and Ancillary to program making and broadcasting applications.
European conference of postal and telecommunications administrations
Penalties
We issue licences so frequencies can be coordinated and interference avoided. By using unlicensed equipment you can cause interference to licensed users. Please make sure you have the right type of licence. If you operate equipment without a licence, you can face a fine of up to £5000 and/or serve a prison sentence. Your equipment may also be seized. If you’re unsure whether you need a licence, please contact us.