What does Ofcom actually do?

[Curlytips]

Recently, I was naturally delighted to receive my latest demand for for my Aircraft Radio Licence Fee. Whilst it isn't a great deal of money (only £20 for 3 years), I can't help wondering what is the purpose?

The summary sheet they sent is totally out of date due to upgrading to 8.33 - which has obviously been notified to and accepted by CAA/EASA more than 2 years ago. If CAA and Ofcom don't even talk to each other, again, what is the purpose?

Apart from a tax, of course - which their demand states is "now due" despite it being more than 6 weeks beforehand! What did Ofcom ever do for us?

[Heliplane]

For starters, something needs to cover their admin costs of invoicing you (and me).

[gasax]

To be fair - they failed to engage with other EU national authorities to co-ordinate frequency allocation so we all had to buy 8.33 frequency radios......

And they were part of the government initiative to introduce frequency charging - which of course was supported by - see above!.

[India Four Two]

Is Ofcom run by the Department of Administrative Affairs? :E

[Hyperdark]

They create paperwork and fees....out of thin air

[Curlytips]

Is Ofcom run by the Department of Administrative Affairs? :E

Wondered if it was a real department and realised you meant Jim Hacker's job. But spookily, Norwegian Government actually has one!

[sharpend]

I did not even get a reminder. Luckily my diary reminded me. However, I could not pay as my customer number was out of date and I had not invoice number as I had no invoice!

[India Four Two]

Curlytips,

Yes I meant Jim Hacker’s department but of course he was only the Minister. The department was run by Sir Humphrey, assisted by Bernard! :)

I’m sure they would have gone for 4.16 spacing!

Minister, we will have twice as many channels.

What good will that be, Humphrey?

Well, you see Minister, potentially, in the fullness of time, we will be able to issue many more licenses and increase our revenue from fees