CV radio in autumn?
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THE GOVERNMENT could give the go-ahead in September for a Simplex radio telephone system for commerical vehicle operators. _ The Department of Industry has already received proposals for such a system and it is currently being evaluated by officials.
Home Secretary William Whitelaw has already announced a review of the radio spectrum, and a provisional decision that radio telephone services should be allocated to 30M Hz.
Now Industry Secretary Patrick Jenkin has told MPs that the Government is convinced that transport "could derive significant benefits from early and substantial expansion of radio and telephone services, provided this can be arranged without prejudice to other users of mobile radio."
So he has decided to press ahead with preparatory arrangements for licensing services in the event that frequencies become available.
Mr Jenkin said there would be two competing networks. One will involve British Telecom, in minority partnership with the private sector, as it has already submitted proposals which could be quickly implemented. Already four organisations have put forward proposals and some consortia have submitted outline plans in the event of more than one network being established. "The Department has also received proposals for a Simplex system confined to lorry and coach operators," he said.
A Department of Industry spokesman said that a Simplex system — a one-way system allowing one person to speak at a time — had been suggested for lorries and coaches, because it was cheaper.
And, delicately, he said a second reason was for "security" purposes. What he really meant was that it would stop drivers ringing up who they wanted, as they would only be able to speak to people with similar equipment.
But he refused to be drawn on whether the Simplex proposals would be included in the system that gets the final go-ahead. Any Home Office delays would put back its introduction even if it was given the green light.