Why PoC is licence-free
A PoC radio never transmits on frequencies you're responsible for. It sends data over the mobile networks — and EE, O2, Vodafone and Three already hold (and pay a great deal for) the spectrum licences covering those frequencies. Legally, a PoC radio is in the same category as a mobile phone: the operator's licence covers your transmission. That's the whole story. No Ofcom application, no renewal diary, no per-handset paperwork, no frequency coordination between neighbouring sites.
The three tiers of UK radio, side by side
| Tier | Licence | Cost | Practical limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PoC (network radio) | None | £0 (airtime subscription instead) | Needs mobile/Wi-Fi coverage |
| PMR446 licence-free | None | £0 | 446.0–446.2 MHz, max 500 mW, fixed antenna, 16 analogue channels shared with everyone nearby — short range by design |
| Licensed business radio | Ofcom Business Radio licence | From £75 per 5 years (Simple UK Light) | Higher power, better handsets, optional dedicated frequencies and repeaters |
The authoritative source for conventional licensing is Ofcom's Business Radio section at ofcom.org.uk — applications are made online and Simple UK Light licences are usually issued quickly.
Common licensing myths, corrected
- "Powerful radios just need a one-off fee." No — using licensed frequencies without a current licence is an offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, and imported high-power handhelds programmed onto random frequencies are a recurring enforcement topic. If it isn't PMR446 or PoC, it needs a licence.
- "PMR446 is licence-free, so any channel on my import radio is fine." Only the PMR446 allocation at its power limit with a fixed antenna is licence-free. Many imported radios can transmit far outside it — capable hardware doesn't make it legal.
- "PoC must need something registered." Nothing. The SIM contract is a commercial agreement, not a licence. There is no radio paperwork for PoC full stop.
So which tier should you be on?
It's rarely a licensing decision — the licence question answers itself once you've chosen the right tool. Teams spread across areas bigger than a site: PoC, no licence. One building, minimal budget, tolerant of shared channels: PMR446, no licence. One site wanting strong in-building coverage, dedicated channels and no monthly fees: licensed conventional, £75 per five years is a rounding error against the hardware. The fuller trade-offs live in PoC vs two-way radio.
FAQ
Do PoC radios need an Ofcom licence in the UK?
No — the mobile operators' spectrum licences cover the transmission, exactly as with a mobile phone.
How much is a UK business radio licence?
Simple UK Light: £75 for five years, covering typical shared-frequency handheld use UK-wide. Dedicated or area-defined licences cost more. Conventional radio only — PoC needs nothing.
What can I use with no licence at all?
PMR446 handhelds within their technical limits, and any PoC radio. Everything else needs an Ofcom Business Radio licence.