OFCOM Radio Licence: Do You Know What One Is?
20/01/2023
When you’re a business looking to purchase or hire two-way radios, it may feel like you just need to find a device that suits your budget and your environment. But it’s not as straightforward as that, especially when you start looking at devices that require an OFCOM radio licence.
“What’s one of them?” we hear you say. Well, In this blog, we’re going to explain what an OFCOM licence is, the benefits of having one, how much they cost, and what the risks are of not managing one with due care.
What is an OFCOM radio licence?
An OFCOM radio licence is designed for radio transmitting devices. Businesses must have one to operate on a unique frequency, or have a specific exemption to not require a licence – i.e. they are using licence-free two-way radios.
Licences are used by businesses all over the UK. Some know exactly why the need and use one, like a chemical plant where conversations can be commercially or environmentally sensitive.
Other industries can often end up using them without realising they have one. For example, a school may have been using radios for some time, but because staff have come and gone, they’re unaware that their communication devices are operation on a secure frequency.
Later in the blog, we’ll touch upon what issues this can cause in more detail, but businesses not knowing they are using licenced products can incur fines and penalties if the licence is either mismanaged or not renewed once it has expired.
How much does an OFCOM radio licence cost?
The cost will vary based on the licence you require. Typically, businesses need either a Simple UK or Simple Site licence, but there’s also technically assigned and area-defined alternatives.
The standard cost for a Simple UK and Simple Site licence is £75 and is valid for five years. Technically assigned licences can start from £75 but go as high as £1480, whilst area-defined licences can be upwards of £9900.
The one your business requires will depend on your own circumstances and where in the UK you’ll be using two-way radio devices. If you’re unsure of what you need, feel free to contact us or go to the OFCOM website for more information.
The risks of not managing your licence correctly
Many organisations don’t understand the severity of not managing an OFCOM radio licence correctly. This is often because they are (through no fault of their own) not experts on the subject.
There’s also a lot of examples where staff have changed hands over the five-year period, so newer members of staff are not up to speed with the fact their validity to use a business radio may be about to expire.
Simple site licences last for five years, so people can be forgiven for letting time pass by before they either check when it expires or forgetting all together.
The consequences of non-renewal (and still using the devices) can be serious. So serious that businesses can face fines upwards of £50,000 and even prosecution if they don’t act upon OFCOM’s demands to sort the situation out.
OFCOM licence management
We know that you may not be familiar with what an OFCOM licence is, why it’s needed, and the risks are of not renewing them or managing them properly. But that’s okay. We don’t expect businesses to know the ins and outs of something that they don’t have a primary focus on during day-to-day operations.
The good news is, though, that we can help you with your OFCOM radio licence needs. With an expert team ready to help, we will cover everything from the application process to ensuring your licence is valid for as long as you need it.
As standard, we will apply for your licence and you just cover the cost (whatever that may be). Additionally, we will manage your licence for you as part of our Managed Service.
Our Managed Service provides customers with greater support at a cost-effective price – as payments are spread over a 36 or 60-month period.
Click the link above to find out more about everything we offer as part of this service.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog, then why not check out some of our other content too. We've recently been talking about 3 industries that benefit from walkie talkie hire, lone working: the dangers it presents, and walkie talkies - 5 things you probably didn't know
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