International Networking System for Universal Long distance Advanced Radio

 
faq

technical specifications

legal issues

time plan

related links

pilot projects

Legal Framework - Introduction

In most countries, licenses will be required for the following:

  1. Equipment – ie. To own transmission hardware
  2. Frequency use – ie. To use a designated frequency
  3. Operation – ie. To operate the equipment and frequency to communicate for a specified purpose

Most governments are responsible or designate an agency which is responsible for spectrum allocation and hardware authorisation. Frequency allocation is mostly based on the ITU specification but still varies from country to country. Application processes and criteria vary from country to country. In EU countries, EU legislation also applies. To operate as a node in the IT network, operators must be licensed in their own country.

Other legal issues arise such as the approval of telecommunications hardware specifications eg. emission of harmonic frequencies.

The project will require an internationally constituted "umbrella" organisation for adminstrating the whole network. Nationally constituted organisational bases in participating countries may also be needed to apply for licenses.

Legal Framework - Key Tasks

1. Participants must research the following information in their own country:
    • Which agency is responsible for spectrum allocation?
    • What is the availability and criteria for licenses for the frequencies up to 30 MHz?
    • What are the procedures for applying for the necessary licenses?
    • What kinds or organisations can apply?
    • What are the costs?
    • What kinds of transmissions can be done and what frequencies can be used without a license?
    • What legal advice and expertise might be available eg. through universities, amateur radio groups, campaigning groups and activists.

2. Relevant international legislation (EU, ITU plus others to be indentified) must also be researched and summarised. Potential "shortcuts" to licensing eg. using the ERC (European Radio Committee) need to be investigated and evaluated.

3. The research needs to be examined and comparisons made between countries and within international regulatory frameworks. Any implication for the hardware specification needs to be identified as quickly as possible. The viability and cost of running the network legally will need to be assessed at this point.

4. The most appropriate organisational form to apply for a license needs to be decided for each country and either a new organisation formed or a host organisation identified. The constitution for the "umbrella" organistion for IT needs to be researched and decided.

Links:

  • International Telecommunication Union ITU (fttp://www.itu.ch)
  • International Paralel Union of Telecommunication IPUT http://www.c3.hu/~iput
  • European Telecommunication Standardization Institute ETSI http://www.etsi.fr
  • European Union EU http://europa.eu.int
  • United Nations Organisation UN http://www.un.org
  • Federal Communications Commission FCC http://www.fcc.gov
  • Federal Communications Commisson Unofficial Document Locator http://www.intercall.net/~neuhaus/fccindex/index.html
  • European Radio Office (pan-european licensing)? ERO http://www.ero.dk
Informations on these sites should be summarised and submitted to the web site with links to relevant official and unofficial information and resources. Specific links for countries:

Licensing Procedures Notes: http://www.dti.gov.uk/public/frame4.html

Radiocommunications Agency: http://www.open.gov.uk/radiocom/rahome.htm

Tables of radio frequency allocations: http://www.open.gov.uk/radiocom/rahome.htm

United Kingdom Table of Radio Frequency Allocations: http://www.open.gov.uk/radiocom/sp_auct/index.htm
  • UK: OFTEL is the regulator – or "watchdog" – for the UK telecoms industry. Broadcast transmission is also part of OFTEL’s remit. Their aim is for customers to get the best possible deal in terms of quality, choice and value for money. OFTEL is a government department but independent of ministerial control.

OFTEL: http://www.oftel.gov.uk/
  • NL: RijksDienst Radiocommunicatie RDR: http://www.rdr.minvenw.nl/
  • Australia: ACA (Australia Communications Authority). Specific links: About the ACA; The Australian Telecommunications Regulatory Environment: Austel

ACA; http://www.austel.gov.au/index/default.html

Austel http://www.austel.gov.au/authority/overview.htm

  • Hungary: HIF Download the electronic version of the National Table of Frequency Allocation for Hungary at HIF (English) or (Hungarian version). It is a 4Mb Hypertext application. Links to information on the Hungarian procedure for the authorisation: HIF Sorry information on this page is only in Hungarian.

(English version): http://www.hif.hu/fnft/fnft-eng.exe

(Hungarian version): http://www.hif.hu/fnft/fnft.exe