Ofcom appeal over VHF radio licence costs for rescuers

Port askaig lifeboat and station © Gordon Hatton

I’m no stranger to the costs of radio licenses, having coughed up as a radio amateur, CB user, and even in business for site use by employees and for van drivers, but I had no idea of the numbers involved for organisations such as the RNLI and mountain rescue teams. The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland and RNLI have have both expressed concerns about licence costs.

There a big shake-up in the use of the available radio spectrum, which really is a finite resource and coming under increasing pressure as more wireless equipment and networking systems are dreamt up and installed, and systems get greedier as they tend to carry more information, which means each one wants to consume more of that space for itself. Ofcom (the regulator) is consulting on planned changes to the radio broadcasting spectrum which could be introduced from next April, and the changes mean proposed cost rises for the use of VHF radio frequencies. In its consultation document, the regulator said a review was needed to bring about a more efficient use of radio communications which it described as a “finite resource”.

Ofcom has suggested charities could be offered a 50% discount.

Even so, with limited resources and dependent on charity and public supports, the rescue services say this will strain their resources. The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland has written to Ofcom regrding the costs, and each team member has also been asked to write letters.

In terms of costs, the RNLI has revealed that it currently £38,000 per annum after the VHF licence fee has been discounted by 50%. Under the new proposals, they say this would rise to £260,00, or £130,00 if Ofcom’s suggestion of a 50% discount was agreed.

The use of radio use on all vessels is free of charge, however, the costs described still apply onshore and include lifeboat stations and pagers used by volunteers.

Ofcm’s consultation is due to finish on October 30.