Using Airwave
Am I eligible to use Airwave?
The Airwave service is owned, operated, managed and maintained by Airwave. Airwave is a secure digital radio network dedicated for the exclusive use of the UK’s emergency services and those organisations with a recognised public safety responsibility. Designed to carry voice and data communications, the service offers guaranteed levels of coverage across England, Wales and Scotland. This means that users can stay in instant communication even in remote areas or within confined spaces of buildings and tunnels where radio coverage has often failed in the past.
The Airwave network is not for public commercial use. In order to ensure the security and integrity of the Airwave service it is fundamental that the user group is restricted to the emergency services and public safety users. Until now it has been for the regulatory authority, Ofcom, as well as the emergency services and public safety users themselves to define who may be required to respond to an emergency and therefore should have access to Airwave to enhance communications at incident. To manage access to appropriate user groups Government developed the ‘sharers’ list’.
What is the Airwave Sharers' List?
The Sharers' list is administered by Ofcom and is a list of emergency services and public safety agencies which are eligible to access Airwave. Access to the Airwave sharer list has been subject to a successful application to Ofcom, demonstrating your organisation’s public safety remit and emergency communication requirements. Ofcom closed the last round of applications on 31st October 2007.
Ofcom and the CSIA (Central Sponsor for Information Assurance) are currently developing a new application process that will encompass the application to the sharers list and the TEA2 Licence application (which ensures organisations using the Airwave Service have the correct security procedures in place to safeguard the equipment).
Inclusion on the sharers list does not mean that an organisation has an automatic right to use the Airwave network, or that it is required to do so. The effect of inclusion only means that Airwave may make the service available. It is then up to the parties to develop the specific service required to meet the communication needs of each organisation and to agree contract terms.
How do I apply to use the Airwave Service?
Ofcom will accept new applications from the beginning of September 2008.
.
In the first instance you should state your intention to: kuha.sithamparanathan@ofcom.org.uk
For general information visit the Ofcom website:
www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/business_radio/emergency/2008/
Following a successful application you can then work with Airwave to develop the communication solutions to meet the specific needs of your organisation
If you require any further information or assistance in understanding the Airwave application process, please contact:
Rupert Cazalet
Airwave Solutions Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1753 557 386
Fax: +44 (0) 1753 557 425
Email: rupert.cazalet@airwavesolutions.co.uk
Address: Airwave, Wellington Street, Slough, SL1 1YP, United Kingdom