The Business Radio Group, represents the interests of businesses and organisations involved in the manufacture and distribution of business radio products and services, organisations using business radio systems, spectrum licensees, spectrum managers, and apllications providers. The group has been active in supporting the business radio community since 1982.
Future Strategy for Business Radio
In 2010 the Group carried out a major research project led by Tim Cull of Telecoms Policy Services Ltd to determine the views of industry and major users on the future requirements for business Radio in the coming decade.
The report of the research concludes:
- Spectrum market principles for radio spectrum allocation are not applicable
- The ultimate value of business radio to the nation is huge
- A strategic review of business radio and how spectrum is allocated is urgently needed, led by the Government so that the public interest can be taken into account.
The full report can be found here and for a summary of the findings click here.
A further study into industry opinions on the development of the sector was carried out in October 2010. It concludes that equipment sales have been growing 6-10% year on year and that digital will supersede analogue in 8-15 years. Reasons are given as to why Ofcom licence statistices differ from industry experience. Despite growth in more spectrally efficient digital product the expectation that equipment sales will increase by more than 20% by 2015 will lead to increased demand for spectrum.
The report "Industry opinions on development of the sector - October 2010" can be found here.
Business Radio Council
The Business Radio Group is led by a Council of representatives from the group under the chairmanship of Roy Pierce of Procom. John Grant of Signature Industries is the Deputy Chairman
The Council meets quarterly.
Sub groups are set up to support sub sector projects: current sub groups include Critical National Infrastructure, Engineer training and codes of practice
The Business Radio Group chairman and members meet Ofcom staff regularly at the Ofcom BRIG meetings
Codes of Practice
The Business Radio Group maintains and develops industry codes of practice and information sheets for the Business Radio sector. Click here for a full list of codes of practice and information sheets.
In 2010
The Group continued to promote the Value of Business Radio- click here to see the Business Radio Group report and press release and responded to Ofcom's proposals for Business Radio reform
The group stages the annual Business Radio event for the industry- Business Radio 10 was held on 17 November 2010 in Daventry
In addition the group held 7 regional meetings in 2010 with guest speakers from Ofcom- for more information click here
This programme of activity will continue into 2011
Interested in joining?
If you would like to know more about the business radio group, its programme and events please contact businessradio@fcs.org.uk
Group members work to the FCS Ethical Code of Practice
Click here to enter the Business Radio Group Members Area