Truckers' radio under attack
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• Britain's Band III private mobile radio users have attacked Home Office plans to reallocate some of their radio frequencies to the broadcasting industry.
If the plans are implemented they will drastically cut back the number of radio channels available to truck operators. The band was handed over to mobile radio users five years ago, and has been adopted by the road transport industry.
The first national Band III radio service began operation in October. A second national operator, part of the giant GEC group, plans to launch a service in February and other regional operators have also been licensed. These operators have spent about 2100 million setting up their networks.
The radio frequencies already in use are in the middle sub-band of Band III, with the two other sub-bands set aside for further expansion and new technology developments. The Government is now considering using both sub-bands for a payTV channel.
Reaction to the proposal has come from the Electronic Engineering Association (EEA), the mobile radio trade body, the Federation of Communications Services (FCS) and the Band III Operators Club, all of which have written to the Department of Trade and Industry complaining about proposals. The Band III Operators Club describes the plans as "outrageous and irresponsible".