Spectrum Management FAQ

1. Who qualifies to apply for a UCC frequency license?

  • A registered company that wishes to provide communication services to other companies/individuals utilizing the radio spectrum and have already acquired the service provider's license;
  • A registered company that wishes to operate a radio/TV broadcasting station;
  • A registered company that wishes to operate voice/data radio communication equipment;
  • An individual who wishes to operate voice radio communication equipment as an amateur operator.

2. What are the requirements to acquire a frequency license?

Requirements for frequency applications licensed by UCC
  frequency applied for application requirements
1 Radio communication (Fixed/Mobile) service Submit a formal application for frequency which should be accompanied by:
  1. Copy of certificate of registration or incorporation of a company or copy of NGO registration certificate registered in Uganda;
  2. Fully completed UCC 4002-SMF-01 forms for;
    1. Each base/fixed radio station;
    2. Each model/type of equipment used for mobile radio stations and handheld radio sets (walkie-talkie);
  3. Copies of technical specifications for all radio equipment models/types to be operated
2 Amateur Radio Submit a formal application for frequency which should be accompanied by:
  1. Valid amateur radio operator license;
  2. Fully completed UCC 4002-SMF-01 forms for a base/fixed radio station or mobile radio station to be installed;
  3. A recent previous radio amateur license
3 Aircraft Radio Station Submit a formal application for frequency which should be accompanied by:
  1. A photocopy of the certificate of airworthiness from Civil Aviation Authority;
  2. A copy of the inspection certificate of the aircraft radio transmitters from Civil Aviation Authority;
  3. Fully completed UCC 4002-SMF-01 forms for the radio station/s installed.
4 Broadcasting Submit a formal application for frequency which should be accompanied by:
  1. A permission letter from Broadcasting Council allowing the applicant to establish broadcast station in Uganda in particular town;
  2. Company profile (to include certified photocopies of the certificate of registration or incorporation of the company or NGO registered in Uganda and Memorandum and Articles of Association);
  3. Engineering brief of the project whose format should include:;
    1. Technical specifications of Broadcast and Studio Transmitter, technical description of system, which include: diagram of network, configuration, and network implementation schedule;
    2. Broadcast coverage areas ;
  4. Fully completed UCC 4002-SMF-01 forms for transmit and receive radio station/s to be installed.
5 Mobile Trucked Radio (MTR) Submit a formal application for frequency which should be accompanied by:
  1. Business plan (to include a description of the services to be offered, areas of operation, and plans for future expansion);
  2. Company profile (to include certified photocopies of the certificate of registration or incorporation of the company or NGO registered in Uganda and Memorandum and Articles of Association);
  3. Engineering brief to include MTR system configuration whose format should give details on:
    1. Technical specifications of Transmitters, technical description of system, which include: diagram of network, configuration, and network implementation schedule;
    2. Frequency plan in view of frequency re-use. MTR;
  4. Fully completed UCC 4002-SMF-01 forms for each base station to be installed
6 Radio Paging Services Submit a formal application for frequency which should be accompanied by:
  1. Business plan (to include a description of the services to be offered, areas of operation, and plans for future expansion);
  2. Company profile (to include certified photocopies of the certificate of registration or incorporation of the company or NGO registered in Uganda and Memorandum and Articles of Association);
  3. Engineering brief to include system configuration whose format should give details on technical specifications of Transmitters, technical description of system, which include: diagram of network, configuration, and network implementation schedule;
  4. Fully completed UCC 4002-SMF-01 forms for each base station to be installed.

3. What is the process of frequency license acquisition?

The commission shall use the following procedure in processing applications for radio frequencies after an application has been submitted.
  1. The application shall be checked to verify whether the application is complete and meets the necessary requirements;
  2. Where the application is not complete, the commission shall contact the applicant and request for the missing information to be provided;
    1. Where the application is complete, the commission shall verify whether the applicant qualifies for the radio frequency spectrum applied for;
    2. If the applicant meets all the requirements and qualifies for the allocation of spectrum, the commission shall proceed to process the application for frequency license;
    3. After processing the application, the applicant shall be invoiced for spectrum fees and advised to pay within a maximum of 90 days effective from the date of the invoice;
    4. The commission’s offer shall be cancelled if the applicant does not settle the license fees within 90 days;
    5. After payment of the license fees, the applicant shall be issued with a letter of frequency assignment;
    6. In case of application for broadcasting frequencies, the applicant shall obtain clearance from the Broadcasting Council prior to submitting his/her application to the commission. Thereafter if the application meets the requirements and settles the processing fees, the public shall be notified through the press for a period of two weeks. If no objection to the application is received, sections 2. and 2.5 shall apply.
  3. After completing the installations within the specified period, the applicant shall invite the Commission to inspect the installations;
    1. If the installations meet the licensing conditions, a station frequency license shall be issued to the radio station;
    2. For both the radio and television broadcast stations, the broadcaster shall be required to inform the Commission before On-Air testing is carried out at the stations. The Commission thereafter shall grant permission for On-Air testing of the station by the broadcaster for a period of 21 days before the station is issued with an operational radio station license;
    3. The Commission shall inspect all radio stations before radio station licenses are issued.

4. What is UCC's fee structure?

UCC Fee Structure

5. What are the requirements for adding more radio equipment to operate at the already assigned frequency?

Submit a formal application for additional radio stations indicating the frequencies that you intend to operate at which should be accompanied by:

  • Fully completed UCC 4002-SMF-01 forms for;
    • Each base/fixed radio station
    • Each model/type of equipment used for mobile radio stations and handheld radio sets (walkie-talkie)
  • Copies of technical specifications for all radio equipment models/types to be operated

6. What are the validity periods for the licenses?

The validity periods of the radio frequency licenses may vary depending on the period the applicant intends to use the frequency spectrum. In normal circumstances annual licenses are issued. For shorter periods, the applicant shall justify to the Commission that the frequency license will only be required for that period and if it is acceptable to the Commission an invoice for the license fees will be raised for only that period.

7. Do I require license for the 2.4GHz and 5.8 GHz ISM bands?

The above bands are wireless spread spectrum bands and no spectrum frequency license fees are required. However, whoever intends to operate equipment using the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands is required to seek approval from UCC before using the spectrum. The requirements for operating within this band include:

Submit a formal request to utilize the spectrum, which should be accompanied with:

  • Company profile (to include certified photocopies of the certificate of registration or incorporation of the company or NGO registered in Uganda and Memorandum and Articles of Association);
  • Business plan to include service description and objectives;
  • Technical specifications (to include technology, interfacing, equipment, interface arrangements with licensed telecommunications service providers, network configurations and quality standards).

8. Where and how are the radio frequency interference cases reported?

Complaints regarding radio frequency interferences are supposed to be communicated formally in writing to Uganda Communications Commission addressed to the Executive Director describing the nature of interference being experienced. The complaints may be hand delivered to UCC offices, mailed through the post office box or sent on email address “ucc@ucc.co.ug”. Thereafter the commission will acknowledge the complaints and carryout investigations and subsequently resolve the reported interference. During the whole interference resolution process, the complainant will be updated of the developments regarding that interference case.

9. Where can I purchase radio equipment and who offers the associated technical support services?

There are a number of radio communication equipment vendors in Uganda that can be found in most of the business and telephone directories. However, UCC has a list of licensed equipment vendors that could be availed to those interested in procuring radio equipment and/or seeking for the associated technical support.

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