History of the Department

The Communications Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network is a new institution of the Velocity Interoperability Network. The milestones below are recorded as they occur; further entries will be added as the Register of Allocations grows and the Department's procedures are reviewed.

1. Before September 2026

   Channels arranged between members

   Before the Department existed, each member organisation of the Network arranged the channels it used by agreement with its neighbours. There was no common band plan, no register of who transmitted where, and no single channel on which official announcements could be relied upon to reach every member.

2. 6 September 2026

   Department established

   The Communications Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network is formally established, with responsibility for spectrum, licensing and public broadcasting.

3. 6 September 2026

   Official website launched

   The Department launches communications.gov.vin, carrying press releases, official statements and guidance for members, broadcasters and equipment operators.

4. 6 September 2026

   Allocation classes published

   The six classes under which Network channels are allocated, from Network control to temporary allocations, are published.

5. 6 September 2026

   Network band plan published and Register of Allocations opened

   The thirteen bands of the Network band plan are published, and the Register of Allocations opens with the primary allocation of each member, the allocations of shared services already in operation and the channels reserved for the Network and for broadcasting.

6. 6 September 2026

   Broadcasting rules published

   The rules governing the carriage of official announcements on the public broadcasting service are published, together with what the service carries.

7. 6 September 2026

   Licensing procedure published

   The procedure for applying for an allocation or an equipment licence, the terms on which they are issued and the categories of equipment requiring certification are published. Applications received before the Department was established are carried forward as pending.

8. 6 September 2026

   Broadcast schedule confirmed

   The daily schedule of the public broadcasting service is confirmed, with three bulletins a day, fixed windows for announcements and continuous carriage of emergency notices.

9. 6 September 2026

   Interference procedure published

   The four categories of interference, the times within which the Department acts on each and the obligations of holders are published.

10. Forthcoming

    First review of the broadcast schedule

    The schedule of the public broadcasting service is to be reviewed after its first three months of operation, and any change carried as a notice of change before it takes effect.

Announcements of each milestone are published in the Newsroom. For the Department's present responsibilities and offices, see About the Department.