§ Lord Irving of Dartfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many manufacturing jobs have been created in the United Kingdom as a result of the expansion of cellular radio; what is the latest estimate of the number of manufacturing jobs that will be created in the United Kingdom as a result of the expansion of mobile radio services in Band III; and whether they are satisfied with both figures.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Lucas of Chilworth)It is not possible to identify from the employment statistics the number of jobs created as a result of the expansion of cellular radio. Cellular radio was introduced into the United Kingdom earlier this year and the increase in manufacturing jobs will of course depend on the rate of take-up of the new service. It is too early to make a forecast of the number of jobs that might be created through the release of the additional spectrum, as no final decisions have been taken on the allocation of Band III waveband to the operation of mobile radio. The Government are, however, satisfied that the release of the additional spectrum to mobile radio in Band III and the use of 900 Mhz for cellular radio will generate a considerable number of new jobs in the manufacturing, distribution and service industries.
§ Lord Irving of Dartfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many people are employed in the United Kingdom civil land mobile radio manufacturing industry; whether the United Kingdom is a net exporter of civil mobile radio equipment; and whether they expect both figures to rise as a result of the expansion of mobile radio services in Band III.
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthIt is not possible to isolate employment or export statistics for the civil land mobile radio sector. However, the United Kingdom is a net exporter of ground radio communications equipment, including defence equipment, and we expect the numbers employed in the manufacture of land mobile equipment to expand as a result of the growth of demand created by the availability of spectrum in Band III. We would certainly expect this to lead in turn to an increase in exports.
§ Lord Irving of Dartfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received from the United Kingdom civil land mobile radio industry regarding the possibility of existing public telecommunications operators being eligible to operate systems in Band III.
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§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthA considerable number of responses were received as a result of the Green Paper published last year. These include a recommendation that existing public telecommunications operators should be eligible to operate systems in Band III.
The Government have sought and received the advice of the Director General of Telecommunications on this question and hope to make an announcement in the next few weeks.
§ Lord Irving of Dartfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received from the United Kingdom civil land mobile radio industry regarding the possibility of interconnection to the public switched telephone network in Band III.
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthMany of those who have commented on the possible use of Band III for mobile radio systems have drawn attention to the benefits to operators and users of interconnection to the Public Switched Telephone Network, as well as to the implications for the use of radio spectrum in Band III. The cellular radio operators have commented particularly on the possible consequences for them of unrestricted interconnection to the public switched telephone network.
§ Lord Irving of Dartfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received from the United Kingdom civil land mobile radio industry regarding the desirability or otherwise of establishing national networks for mobile radio services in Band III.
§ Lord Lucas of ChilworthProposals have been received from several companies interested in establishing national mobile radio networks in Band III. There have also been discussions between the Department of Trade and Industry and representatives of the mobile radio industry as well as individual companies interested in such a network. A variety of views have been expressed about the desirability of national networks.