OFCOM’s consultation on including Administered Incentivised Pricing for the maritime and aeronautical sectors published 30 July 2008
OFCOM has proposed new charges (Administered Incentivised Pricing or spectrum pricing) for VHF land-based radio licences, and published a consultation document about its proposal, a summary of which can be found at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/aip/summary/
3 October 2008 – RNLI’s response:
The RNLI is concerned that OFCOM is reviewing the charges for the use of radio spectrum and that OFCOM is proposing to introduce a scheme known as Administered Incentivised Pricing.
The RNLI currently pays £40,000 in licence fees annually to OFCOM for the use of radio channels in our station/boathouse radios, lifeguard radios, launching vehicles and pager system. Under OFCOM’s new pricing proposals this is set to increase by a staggering 600% to £260,000 per annum.
The current fees paid by the RNLI are at a discounted rate of 50%. However, the RNLI strongly maintains that, as a charity, it should not pay anything for the use of radio spectrum when it is used solely for safety and search and rescue (SAR) purposes - particularly as its for the provision of a first class marine rescue service, in order that the Government can meet its internationally agreed SAR obligations.
Ships’ licences are not affected by this consultation and are already free of charge and the RNLI believe that there is a good case for channels used solely for safety and SAR to be made available free of charge to all users.
The RNLI is responding to OFCOM to clearly state its case during this consultation period. Additionally the RNLI is encouraging its volunteers to respond as individuals to OFCOM, with particular reference to question 6 on the consultation document, with the thought that nobody should have to pay for any channels that are used for safety and SAR and that charities should not be charged at all for channels they use for safety, SAR, training and other operations, which contribute to the safety of the UK citizen.
20 October 2008 – OFCOM’s consultation update
OFCOM published an update to its consultation on AIP for the maritime and aeronautical sectors in which it stated, ‘The RNLI may see its charges fall as a result of our proposal to offer a single, lower-cost licence for multiple users.’ For details, see http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/aip/update201008/
21 October – RNLI’s response to OFCOM’s consultation update
'The RNLI welcomes OFCOM's proposal, which will reduce the charity's licensing costs, enabling us to direct those funds towards the RNLI's primary objective of saving lives at sea. Ideally, we would still like to see a 100% discount on radio licensing fees not only for the RNLI, which as a charity is funded entirely by voluntary donations and uses allocated frequencies solely for safety and SAR purposes, but for all organisations, which contribute to the safety and saving of life at sea. However, we appreciate this proposal from OFCOM is a significant improvement on their previous proposal.
‘There have been some reports that this will affect the operations of our lifeboat service. We are pleased to confirm that this is not the case and our lifeboats and volunteers are available to launch as normal to anyone in danger at sea.’
30 October – The OFCOM AIP period of consultation closes
During the consultation period, the RNLI sent OFCOM a letter outlining its concerns about the proposals, to which OFCOM has emailed an initial response (31 October). OFCOM confirms it wants to work closely with the RNLI to find a solution and that it will continue the consultation process with the RNLI over the coming months.
4 November – RNLI comment as OFCOM AIP consultation period closes:
The RNLI has been greatly encouraged by the supportive response from the public to the situation. People have been responding direct to OFCOM, and a petition, (to protect the RNLI from paying licence fees for using Maritime radio frequencies), has been set up by a supporter on the No. 10 website. Already more than 12000 signatures have been added and its hoped that people will continue to register their support by signing up. Additionally the RNLI has been heartened by the cross-party political support it has received on the AIP issue.
Already OFCOM has outlined some proposals to the RNLI that include a reduction in the charity’s licensing costs. While the charity welcomes these proposals, ideally it would still like to see a complete exemption from AIP or a 100% discount on radio licensing fees not only for the RNLI, which as a charity is funded entirely by voluntary donations and uses allocated frequencies solely for safety and SAR purposes, but for all organisations, which contribute to the safety and saving of life at sea.
However, the RNLI appreciates their offer is a significant improvement on the previous proposal. Additionally it’s understood that that OFCOM will continue with a more detailed consultation process and will develop dialogue with the RNLI. Ultimately the matter is now in the hands of OFCOM and we await the outcome of their proposals that will be implemented in April 2009.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789; or email pressoffice@rnli.org.uk
RNLI online
For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre www.rnli.org.uk/press
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 100 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives.
A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SCO37736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland