Comms regulator, Ofcom is proposing to streamline the licensing of private radio communications frequencies. Sometimes referred to as private mobile radio this includes radio systems used by taxi and courier firms, the major utilities and supermarket chains.

The regulator said that in order to reduce regulation and to move to a market-led approach it is proposing to simplify the licensing process by reducing the 21 different types of licence, covering 50,000 licensees, to three categories of licence. Within each category, existing restrictions on the permitted type of business radio use and technology will be removed, freeing use of the spectrum.

Ofcom also wants to introduce spectrum trading and will make the new types of licence tradeable, allowing licensees to acquire additional spectrum or to sell or lease spectrum assets that are no longer required.

Online lic ence applications will be another feature of the new system. Licensees will be able to apply online for at a flat fee of £75 for a five-year licence. This arrangement will replace annual renewals, on a variety of fees, for five different types of licence.

The consultation period for these changes will run until September 2006.