Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the telecommunications licences granted to the licensees specified in Schedule 1 for the provision in certain areas specified in each licence of telecommunication services consisting in the conveyance by means of telecommunication systems of messages using wireless telegraphy. The Schedules to the licences are replaced by the Schedules set out in the Regulations. The amendments are being made to these licences as part of the implementation in the United Kingdom of Directive 97/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on a common framework for general authorisations and individual licences in the field of telecommunications (O.J. No. L199, 26.7.97, p.32), which requires that conditions in all telecommunications licences of a similar type should be harmonised, except where objectively justified in particular instances.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment is available and can be obtained from Communications and Information Industries Directorate, Department of Trade and Industry, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SS.

The licences modified by these Regulations may be inspected at the Library of the Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL), 50 Ludgate Hill, London EC4M 7JJ.