Reference: 917898
Jerin John
Information Rights Adviser
Michael Phelps
xxxxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx.xx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
29 May 2020
Dear Mr Phelps,
Freedom of Information: Right to know request
Thank you for your request for information about unlicensed broadcasters using 87.5 MHz.
We received this request on 29 April and have considered it under the Freedom of Information Act
2000 (“the Act”).
Your request
You asked:
Have any enforcement visits been carried out in the UK during the last 12 months? If so -
please provide the name of the station, the general area, and the method (or methods if
multiple visits) of enforcement used, be it TX Raid, Link Mid Point Raid, Studio Raid?
Were any of the broadcasters causing interference? if so, what were they interfering with?
Is enforcement to illegal users of 87.5Mhz a particular priority for OFCOM, and if so, why?
Our response
By way of background, Ofcom is the statutory regulator for communications. That includes
regulating the use of the electromagnetic spectrum – the airwaves that are used for wireless
communications such as mobile telephones, as well as television and radio.
Section 3 of the Communications Act 2003 sets out Ofcom’s general duties which include a
requirement to secure, in the carrying out of our functions, the optimal use for wireless telegraphy
of the electromagnetic spectrum. It also states that in doing so, we must have regard to the different
needs and interests of all those who may wish to make use of it.
Illegal radio broadcast stations, also known as pirate radio, may cause interference to spectrum and
have the potential to disrupt the communications of critical services like air traffic control. Further
information about pirate radio and our remit in this area is available on our website here:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/interference-enforcement/spectrum-
offences/illegalbroadcast.
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In fulfilling our functions and duties with regards to spectrum we may from time to time carry out
monitoring activities.
Turning to your request, we can neither confirm nor deny whether we hold the information you
requested, as to provide such information would fall under the exemption in section 44 of the Act.
Section 44 inhibits disclosure of information if another enactment prohibits it, in this case section
393(1) of the Communications Act 2003. Under this section, information which relates to a business
is exempt from disclosure. Section 44 is an absolute exemption under the Act and does not require a
public interest test.1
In response to whether enforcement to pirate radio stations using 87.5 MHz is a particular priority
for Ofcom, this is not a valid request under the Act2.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further queries, then please send them to
xxxxxxxxxxx.xxxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx.xx quoting the reference number above in any future
communications.
Yours sincerely,
Jerin John
1 Other exemptions, for example section 31 of the Act, may apply.
2 An authority does not have to answer your question if this would mean creating new information or giving an
opinion or judgment that is not already recorded
(https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/official-information/).
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If you are unhappy with the response or level of service you have received in relation to your request from Ofcom, you may ask for an
internal review. If you ask us for an internal review of our decision, it will be treated as a formal complaint and will be subject to an
independent review within Ofcom. We will acknowledge the complaint and inform you of the date by which you might expect to be told
the outcome.
The following outcomes are possible:
• the original decision is upheld; or
• the original decision is reversed or modified.
Timing
If you wish to exercise your right to an internal review
you should contact us within two months of the date of this letter. There is no
statutory deadline for undertaking internal reviews and it will depend upon the complexity of the case. However, we aim to conclude all
such reviews within 20 working days, and up to 40 working days in exceptional cases. We will keep you informed of the progress of any
such review. If you wish to request an internal review, you should contact:
Corporation Secretary
Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HA
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
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