Ofcom, again

Channel Ribs

Channel Ribs

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Mar 2006
Messages
2,533
Location
The island of Alderney
www.alderneymarine.com
It has been over two weeks since I tried to get a user account for a new VHF license and nothing heard. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I have just sent a polite email off to them asking if I did it right. I shall keep the board posted of any response...

I am off to sulk now. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
e-mailed my attempt last evening ofcom claim 5 working days to return login details!.
i hope that it dosen't drag on and on. then again our postal service leaves something to be desired.

if in the event i do not post again this year i would like to wish all on the forum seasons greetings and a year of good sailing, hope those of you who lift out for the winter scrub your bottoms and get them wet again soon
 
Having paid £20 ... as I have to use VHF openly etc.

I have duties to perform in 2007 that require licenced VHF out here ... I duly coughed up the £20 renewal.

I was supposed to receive it more than a week ago ... still waiting. Have sent polite reminder to Nick at Ofcom to chivvy up the paper ... let's see what happens ...
 
Re: Having paid £20 ... as I have to use VHF openly etc.

Just received my registration confirmation through the post.
Yesterday. I emailed them with my details about 3rd december!!
 
Re: Having paid £20 ... as I have to use VHF openly etc.

[ QUOTE ]
Just received my registration confirmation through the post.
Yesterday. I emailed them with my details about 3rd december!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess they are bogged down with work and the slow post is making it worse then. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
I recieved mine yesterday - but it then took over an hour to try to register - and I would consider myself very computer literate. The site asks for your USER ID, which is what they supply you on the letter - but in the letter it doesn't call it a USER ID - it's at the top of the letter as REGISTRATION COINFIRMATION: XXXXX.

In the end I confirmed my registration - but failed to download the new licence. I e-mailed the head of corporate communications( Matt Peacock <Matt.Peacock@ofcom.org.uk>) with my complaint and received an immediate reply:

Matt

I understand entirely. It's a new online licensing system, and we're have a few teething problems.

I'll pass your comments on to the team responsible.

Matt


There is hope!
 
I asked \"my contact\" in Ofcom ...

He e-mailed the licence to me - as he said its the same file used to print of the paper they posted to me ...

I was suprised to not get a disc ... e-mailed back ?where's disc ... reply - no discs issued now ... first 2 pages are licence now and no need to display. Just keep on board.

Why they have to complicate matters with postage once all details are verified etc. - especially with mine as a renewal - which is based on existing info.

So now I have printed mine off ... I have the pdf file on PC here ... so no need to access Ofcom again for replacement when print fades etc.
 
Re: I asked \"my contact\" in Ofcom ...

Surely this should be automated? then, a bit like TV licences, anyone who has had a licece before, but doesnt have a current one on the database could be contacted with a gentle reminder... not a threatening letter like the TV licence bods.

Having to post something out as a result of an online application makes it at least as much work for them as before, if not more.

Crazy!
 
Totally agree ...

I understand the need to verify address for new application - but even that falls apart - as they will mail it anywhere in the world. So what value putting a pals / mums / ex's address on for UK ?
 
Re: I asked \"my contact\" in Ofcom ...

[ QUOTE ]
I was suprised to not get a disc

[/ QUOTE ] They did quite clearly state that the discs were being discontinued.!

[ QUOTE ]
I have the pdf file on PC here

[/ QUOTE ] As I already said I saved the file for more or less the same reasons. If it is prited on an ink jet printer then most likely it will need to be reprinted from time to time as it gets damp and the ink runs.
 
Re: I asked \"my contact\" in Ofcom ...

[ QUOTE ]
Having to post something out as a result of an online application makes it at least as much work for them as before, if not more.

Crazy!

[/ QUOTE ] You only have to register with Ofcom once but you will now be able apply to add extra equipment or get a licence for your new boat every time you change all on line.

So Ofcom now only have to send one letter instead of new licences for every change you make in equipment or boat. Thats where the savings will come over time coupled with the fact that annual renewals are a thing of the past.
 
Re: I asked \"my contact\" in Ofcom ...

[ QUOTE ]
With no financial incentive to renew or otherwise keep Ofcom updated, how long will the UK's share of the call sign database last

[/ QUOTE ] A good question but you must remember that until fairly recently call signs were not cancelled even when licences were not renewed. I guess that is the object of asking for details to be confirmed at 10year intervals but it remains to be seen what will happen if you do not confirm the details when requested, presumably the licence will be cancelled allowing the callsign to be reallocated. In the normal course of events many boats will change hands inside that time anyway requiring a fresh licence application to be made.
 
Re: I asked \"my contact\" in Ofcom ...

I think it is the beginning of the end now that there is no financial gain from issuing licences - what do they actually achieve? They were (are?) more expensive to administer than any revenue they generate. I can see them going the same way as dog licences and CB radio licences. You will just buy a DSC radio, send off a card with the name of the boat and a few other details and that will be it.
 
Re: I asked \"my contact\" in Ofcom ...

when our favourite ofcom official used to post here, I stated the same thing, and was told that income def higher than costs.
 
Re: I asked \"my contact\" in Ofcom ...

he made the comment at a time when they were planning on going for zero cost renewals, and I said that probably one factor was that costs of admin higher than revenue. He stated quite clearly that revenue higher than costs.

So revenue obviously not a factor in making the decision. Though amount of revenue very low in ofcomm terms once they took over radio comms agency.
 
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