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General User Licences
What is a general user licence?
A general user licence (GUL) provides for certain classes of radio transmitters to be used without the need for the owner to obtain a licence in their own name.
The equipment may be freely used by anyone and must:
- meet the applicable technical standards as per the Radiocommunications (Radio Standards) Notice 2010
- operate only on the allocated frequencies
- meet any other requirements specified in the licence
There are two forms of General User Licence (GUL). One is a radio licence (GURL) granted by the chief executive under regulation 9 of the Radiocommunications Regulations 2001. The other is a spectrum licence (GUSL) granted by the owner of a management right under section 48(3) of the Radiocommunications Act 1989. GUSLs granted by the Crown are included in the list below, however they may also be searched in SMART under Client Number 137373.
RSM does not investigate interference to General User Licences because frequency use is on a shared basis and the chief executive does not accept liability under any circumstances for any loss or damage of any kind occasioned by the unavailability of frequencies or interference to reception.
Notes
Note 1: Should interference occur to services licensed pursuant to a radio licence or a spectrum licence, the chief executive reserves the right to require and ensure that any transmission pursuant to the general user radio licence changes frequency, reduces power or ceases operation.
Note 2: RSM will investigate cases of non-compliance relevant to the use of General User Licences.
Which transmitters can operate under a general user licence?
The following list details the transmitters for which a general user licence has been issued:
Aeronautical model control short range devices
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of remote control of aeronautical model short-range devices.
Aeronautical purposes
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of aeronautical radiocommunications.
Amateur radio operators
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves by amateur radio operators in New Zealand, for the purpose of communications in the amateur radio service.
Citizen band radio
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of the Citizen Band Radio Service (CBRS), also known as "CB Radio" or "Personal Radio Services (PRS)."
Cordless telephones
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of cordless telephones, including those known as "CT1", "CT2", "DECT", and "PHS."
Emergency transmitters
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of obtaining assistance where safety of life or property is threatened.
Itinerant differential GPS
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves, by means of itinerant radiocommunication transmitters, to provide accurate position fixing in conjunction with the radionavigation satellite service known as GPS (Global Positioning System)
Low power FM broadcasting
A GURL for the transmission on the frequencies intended for local-area broadcasting. Additional information on operation of broadcasting stations under the LPFM GURL.
Maritime purposes
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of maritime radiocommunications.
Maritime UHF On-Board Communications
A general user radio licence for Maritime UHF On-Board Communications.
Satellite services
A GURL for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of the Mobile Satellite Service, Satellite News Gathering Service and Very Small Aperture Satellite Services.
Short range devices
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of Short Range Devices (SRD), also known as Restricted Radiation Devices (RRD), Low Interference Potential Devices (LIPD), or Spread Spectrum Devices (SSD).
Ultra Wide Band communication devices
A general user radio licence for the transmission of radio waves for the purpose of ultra wide band (UWB) communications.
Vehicular radar short range devices
A general user radio licence the transmission of radio waves, by means of vehicular radar short range device radiocommunication transmitters, for the purposes of road vehicle collision mitigation and traffic safety applications.
Fixed Radio Link devices
A general user radio licence for the transmission by means of radiocommunication transmitters, including those known as U-NII devices, using wide band digital modulation techniques to provide high data rate fixed point-to-point communications for individuals, businesses and institutions.
If your transmitter does not fall within one of the above categories, or you intend to use it outside of the specified terms and conditions on the General User Licence you must apply for an individual licence. For more information on individual licensing refer to the Licensing section of this website.
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