Professor Martin Cave today invited views on issues that he will address in his Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings, which focuses primarily on public sector holdings. These issues are set out in a consultation document and interested parties are encouraged to respond to the issues raised, which indicate the proposed direction of the Audit.

In the 2004 Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor of the Exchequer commissioned an Independent Audit of Spectrum Holdings. The Audit is focusing on bands below 15GHz used by the public sector and fixed links and concentrating on those with the most potential for use by commercial organisations. Professor Martin Cave was asked to investigate whether these frequencies are being used as efficiently as possible and to review the effectiveness of incentives for making efficient use of spectrum.

The consultation document:

* identifies specific bands which may have the potential for more effective use;

* proposes that in the future the public sector will need to meet new spectrum demands through market mechanisms in all but exceptional cases;

* expresses support for public bodies being able to trade spectrum rights- and benefit from doing so - if they wish, and addresses possible barriers to this;

* assesses the need for the public sector to adopt a more strategic approach to spectrum management, suggesting that the UK Spectrum Strategy Committee (UKSSC) should produce a regular forward look of public sector spectrum needs;

* examines possibilities for improving Administrative Incentive Pricing, including extending it in some areas, e.g. in the aeronautical sector, and changes to better reflect band sharing;

* sets out the Audit’s intention to encourage more band sharing, through clarification of the incentive structure and the possibility of engaging a third party to facilitate the process;

* addresses specific organisational issues which may be preventing more efficient use of the spectrum holdings such as procurement processes and information sharing.

Professor Martin Cave said:

“Radio spectrum is a valuable resource. The public sector is the largest user of this resource, for which there has been - and is likely to continue to be - growing commercial demand. It is therefore important to ensure that effective use is being made of these holdings. The introduction of market mechanisms into spectrum management will introduce both challenges and opportunities for the public sector. These need to be addressed, and mechanisms put in place to incentivise efficient use of these major holdings, now and in the future, while safeguarding the operation of essential security and safety of life services. I would encourage all those with an interest in these issues - public sector uses and those commercial users who might benefit from the changes we are suggesting - to contribute to this consultation. ”

The closing date for responses is 1 September 2005. Professor Cave will publish his recommendations and Final Report ahead of the Pre-Budget Report 2005.

The consultation document can be accessed here.