The British government’s proposed Radio Spectrum Bill, which should introduce an ‘allocation through auction system’ and raise an estimated 1bn pounds in revenues, has prompted the Federation of Electronics Industry, FEI, to call for checks to guarantee fairness and impartiality. It will ensure that the money raised is used to set up an effective system for managing the allocation of the radio spectrum, rather than simply becoming an extra form of taxation. John Dodd, Director Information & Communications Technology at the FEI, said, The current pricing proposals, if not implemented correctly, would limit the benefits that new technologies, based on the use of radio, will bring to all of us. The electro-magnetic spectrum used by all forms of radio from television to cellular telephony, is a precious, limited resource and has no respect for national boundaries. We must ensure in both UK and in international regulations that the spectrum is put to the best possible use for the benefit of the whole UK economy. The FEI is the UK’s leading trade association for the Information Technology, radio, communications, defense electronics, office equipment and office furniture industries. Its aim is to help members take full advantage of available opportunities to expand their businesses world-wide. This pressure group influences political thinking, policy making and regulation in the UK and Europe through the European Parliament, the EU Directorates and with European trade associations and standards bodies.
