Spectrum Management FAQ

1. Who qualifies to apply for a UCC frequency license

  • A registered company that needs to utilize radio spectrum in the provision of communication services to other companies/individuals utilizing the radio spectrum and have already acquired the service provider license and /or infrastructure provider 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 Two- Way Radio Communication  (Fixed/Mobile) service Submit a formal application for frequency which should be accompanied by:
  1. A 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;
  4. A copy of the valid private security operator’s license from Uganda Police, for the case of security companies.
2 Amateur Radio Submit a formal application for frequency which should be accompanied by:
  1. Valid amateur radio operator license;
  2. Fully completed application forms for radio communication services 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 copy of certificate of aircraft registration 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 a 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 ;
      1. Copies of technical specifications for broadcast transmitter/ receiver, repeater, studio to link (STL) transmitter and receiver, broadcast and STL antennas;
      2. Fully completed application forms for broadcasting services for transmit and receive radio station/s to be installed.

3. What are the aplication requirements for VSAT authorisation

Requirements for frequency applications licensed by UCC
  frequency applied for Categories of resources /Facilities application requirements
1. Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) Category 1: VSATs for public networks Upon becoming licensed Public Service Provider submit:
  1. Formal Letter addressed to Executive Director requesting for VSAT Authorization;
  2. Company Profile (to include a photocopy of the Certificate of Registration);
  3. Fully completed technical application forms for VSAT;
  4. Photocopies of RF equipment and VSAT antenna provided by the manufacturers.
    Category 2: VSATs for private networks Upon becoming licensed Public Service Provider submit:
  1. Company Profile (to include a photocopy of the Certificate of Registration);
  2. Fully completed technical application forms for VSAT;
  3. Photocopies of RF equipment and VSAT antenna provided by the manufacturers.

4. What is the process of frequencyapplication /VSAT license authorisation?

The Commission shall use the following procedure in processing applications for radio frequencies/VSAT authorization after an application has been submitted.
  1. The Commission shall verify whether the applicant qualifies for the radio frequency spectrum/VSAT authorization applied for;
  2. If the applicant does not qualify, appropriate formal responses will be made;
  3. If the applicant qualifies, the application shall be checked to verify whether the application is complete and meets the necessary requirements;
  4. Where the application is not complete, the Commission shall contact the applicant and request for the missing information to be provided; If the applicant meets all the requirements and qualifies for the assignment of spectrum/VSAT authorization, the Commission shall proceed to process the application for frequency/VSAT authorization;
  5. After processing the application, the applicant shall be invoiced for spectrum fees/VSAT authorization fees and advised to pay within a maximum of 30 days. The application shall be cancelled if the applicant does not settle the spectrum fees/VSAT authorization fees within 30 days;
  6. After payment of the license fees, the applicant shall be issued with a letter of frequency assignment/VSAT authorization document.
  7. In case of application for broadcasting frequencies, 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 5 and 6 shall apply.
  8. 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 seek permission from the Commission to carry out on-air testing 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 to ensure that there is no signal interference with the neighboring stations before the station is issued with an operational radio station license.

4. What is the process of acquiring frequency authorisation in the access bands?

  1. Submit a formal inquiry to the Executive Director on the availability of the spectrum in the access band;
  2. If the spectrum is available, reservation is made for the applicant of the Public Service Provider (PSP) and Public Infrastructure Provider (PIP) license. For the guidelines on application requirements and processing procedure for service and infrastructure licences, please refer to this link http://www.ucc.co.ug/licensing/default.php ;
  3. After the PIP and PSP license is acquired, the licensee is invoiced for frequency fees and advised to pay within a maximum of 30 days. The application shall be cancelled if the applicant does not settle the license fees within 30 days;
  4. After payment of the frequency fees, the licensee shall be issued with a letter of frequency assignment;
  5. The licensee is expected to utilize the frequencies within 18 months from the date of frequency assignment so as to discourage spectrum hoarding. If the frequencies are not utilizing the spectrum within the 18 months, the Commission shall withdraw the frequencies. For further information on spectrum hoarding, please refer to this link http://www.ucc.co.ug/spectrum/spectrumHoardingGuidelines.pdf

6. What is the process of discontinuing the use of assigned frequenceies?

  1. Submit a formal letter addressed to the Executive Director informing the Commission about the discontinued use of the assigned frequencies;
  2. If there is no outstanding balance with the Finance department, the Commission will issue a letter with the following information:-
    • The frequencies are withdrawn and therefore taken back by the Commission;
    • The radio equipment should be deprogrammed and therefore invite the Commission for inspection after the exercise is complete to ascertain that the deprogramming has been done.

7. What is the UCC fee structure?

Here is the UCC Fee Structure;

8. What are the requirements for adding more two-way radio communication equipment to operate at the already assigned frequency?

Submit a formal application for additional radio stations indicating the frequencies that you intend to operate with the following documents:

  1. Fully completed application forms for radiocommunication services for;
    1. Each base/fixed radio station;
    2. Each model/type of equipment used for mobile radio stations and handheld radio sets (walkie-talkie).
  2. Copies of technical specifications for all radio equipment types and models to be operated

9. What is the process of getting authorization to have additional two-way radiocommunication equipment to operate at the already assigned frequency?

  1. The Commission shall review the application to verify whether it 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; If the applicant meets all the requirements, the Commission shall proceed to process the application for authorization;
  3. After processing the application, the applicant shall be invoiced for spectrum fees and advised to pay within a maximum of 30 days. The application shall be cancelled if the applicant does not settle the spectrum fees within 30 days;
  4. After payment of the spectrum fees, the applicant shall be issued with a letter of authorization to use the additional two-way equipment;
  5. After completing the installations within the specified period, the applicant shall invite the Commission to inspect the installations; If the installations meet the licensing conditions, a station frequency license shall be issued to the radio station;

10. What are the validity periods for the frequency and VSAT authorizations or 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.

11. 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:

  1. 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);
  2. Business plan to include service description and objectives;
  3. Technical specifications (to include technology, interfacing, equipment, interface arrangements with licensed telecommunications service providers, network configurations and quality standards).

The Commission has also developed guidelines on use of 5.8 GHz which can be found at http://www.ucc.co.ug/guidelinesForUseOf_5GHZ_Band.pdf

12. 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.