Radio licensing

Frequency bands are planned for various services in accordance with international practices, technical standards, and government policy directives. For frequencies where there is low demand, radio licences are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

About radio licences

Anyone who wants to use frequencies in accordance with these plans must apply for a radio licence.

Examples of radio licences include:

  • ship licences for maritime radio transmitters
  • land mobile licences, including non-cellular mobile communications
  • satellite earth station licences.

These licences are typically:

  • specific to a transmitter
  • renewed each year
  • specific about the type of the radio service and transmission methods used.

See Find out which licence you need for more information about licence types.

Fees for radio licences

Most radio licences incur an annual fee, which covers the cost of:

  • interference management
  • international coordination
  • technical standards
  • enforcement
  • compliance, and
  • the Register of Radio Frequencies (RRF).

See Annual licence fees for more information.