From 1955 the band 88.0 – 94.6 MHz was used (allotted and assigned) for three BBC national networks. Over the next 40 years, the band grew piecemeal to 87.5 – 108.0 MHz, allowing for five national networks and many local stations.
Until 1995, parts of the band had been used in the United Kingdom for mobile service by police, fire brigades and the fuel and power industries. These parts were reassigned to broadcasting service gradually over many years as the communications services were transferred to new equipment in other parts of the spectrum.
The current frequency allotment plan is based on an ITU agreement made in Geneva in 1984.[2] The table below shows which kind of broadcasting transmitter stations are the main users of each part of the band. There are many exceptions. In some areas there is some commercial usage of the 'BBC local' sub bands while in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the 'Radio 4' and 'BBC Local' ranges are used interchangeably. Community radio stations and RSLs tend to be fitted into any locally-available position.
| Sub-band (MHz) | Main usage |
|---|---|
| 87.5 – 88.0 | Restricted Service Licences |
| 88.0 – 90.2 | BBC Radio 2 |
| 90.2 – 92.4 | BBC Radio 3 |
| 92.4 – 94.6 | BBC Radio 4 |
| 94.6 – 96.1 | BBC Local Radio |
| 96.1 – 97.6 | Independent Local Radio |
| 97.6 – 99.8 | BBC Radio 1 |
| 99.8 – 102.0 | Independent National Radio (currently Classic FM) |
| 102.0 – 103.5 | Independent Local Radio |
| 103.5 – 104.9 | BBC Local Radio |
| 104.9 – 108.0 | Independent Local Radio |