Managing Spectrum

SMAG set up in 1997

- An Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body

- Provides independent strategic advice to Ministers

- 12 Members with much expertise in the

Communication Industries

- Responds to Government Proposals, holds

Consultation Meetings, Brainstorming Sessions

Spectrum use originally unregulated

- 1904 - all transmitters licensed by Post Office

- Regulation was later in the USA - 500 broadcasting

stations in 1923; 1105 in 1924!

- Regulation based on relationship to the public good

and public services - the "beauty parade"

- 1955 - licensing of alternative to BBC TV - network

of commercial stations, regulated by IBA

- Government saw opportunity to raise income - "the

levy" on advertising revenue

- Scene set for realisation that spectrum was a an

income generating resource, like any other resource,

that could be sold, leased or traded

- 1989 - government proposals on competitve

tendering for broadcast franchises

- 1998 - major new step of auction process for 3G

telecommunication licences