representing the communication services industry 12 march 2007ofcom brig importance of business...

12 March 2007 Ofcom BRIG

Representing the Communication Services Industry

Importance of Business Radio to the UK

A review by the FCS- March 2007

FCS Business Radio Council update

for the Ofcom BRIG




• Purpose

• BR sector characteristics

• User community

• Operational advantages of BR

• Case studies

• Value to the economy and society




Purpose of study

Business Radio -BR

• Not high on the public agenda

• Its value to the economy underrated

• Spectrum policy decisions may impact sector viability

• FCS aims to elevate the debate and inform regulator and public




Business radio sector characteristics• Fragmented industry• Suppliers are large manufacturers and SMEs-

400-600• Services are system supply, install, maintain,

hire, public access• Users are in every economic sector• Stable industry and user community- now

subject to change• New technology- new regulation- sector seeking

to grow




User community

FCS members support customers in:Aerospace, airports, banking, biotechnology,

broadcasting, chemicals, construction, defence, education, electronics, emergency services, entertainment, events, environmental, finance, healthcare, IT, local and national government, manufacture, marine, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, ports, public safety, retail centres and stores, sport, telecoms, transport, utilities




Operational advantages of BR• Ease of use• Robust equipment.• Fast call set up -one button• Non reliance on third party outside networks.• Tailored coverage – particularly tunnels, basements,

internal comms• Larger handheld devices.• Equipment easily repaired• Simple training• Lower running costs




BR support for industry• Aids compliance with legislation:• Health and Safety at Work Act • Management of Health and Safety at Work

Regulations• Control of Major Accident Hazards site

obligations• BR a requirement for insurance of sites• Business continuity




Case studies• Film industry- essential for co-ordination of production-

special effects• Construction industry- site management- tower crane

working; channel tunnel rail link; Heathrow Terminal 5• Traffic enforcement- traffic wardens, clampers and tow

trucks• Premier league football- safety, crowd control• Pharmaceutical manufacturing site- safety, supply of

own fire and emergency services




Value to the economy and society

• BR investment gives rise to 00 times economic gain

• Sector £2 billion GDP contribution- economic gain £00 billion

• No BR = no production of manufacturing sites, slow or no construction; the trains stop




BR sector debate• How will spectrum for the delivery of BR services

be provided in the spectrum market?• Should BR have assigned spectrum rather than

depending on the market?• Are auctions the best way forward?• Auctions are for larger telephony players- do

they have a relevance for BR?




FCS study report- at next BRIG




Thank you

[email protected]

[email protected]




Questions?

representing the communication services industry 12 march 2007ofcom brig importance of business...

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