Home > Spectrum > Information for Radiocomms Licences > Renew or apply for a new licence > Types of Radio Use > Short Range and RLANS > Short Range Devices Information Sheet

Short Range Devices Information Sheet

1 What Is a Short Range Device?

A Short Range Device (SRD) is a general term, applied to various radio devices designed to operate over short range and at low power levels. This includes alarms, telemetry and telecommand devices, radio microphones, radio local area networks and anti-theft devices with maximum powers of up to 500 mW at VHF/UHF, as well as certain microwave/Doppler devices with maximum powers of up to 5 W.

For a full list of devices covered by this information sheet, and the parameters they must operate within, see the UK Radio Interface Requirements IR2030

SRDs are for terrestrial use only, unless stated otherwise. They normally operate on a non-protected, non-interference basis.

2 Some points to note

When selecting parameters for new SRDs, manufacturers and users should pay particular attention to the potential for interference from other systems operating in the same or adjacent bands. This is especially important for devices that may be used in safety-critical applications. SRDs cannot claim protection from other authorised services and must not cause harmful interference themselves.

The pattern of radio use is continuously evolving to reflect the many changes taking place in the radio environment, including the introduction of new applications and technologies. Ofcom may need to review spectrum allocations occasionally to reflect these changes; the position set out in this information sheet is subject to amendment following consultation with interested parties.

3 Definitions

Telecommunication: Any transmission, emission or reception of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic system.

Radiocommunication:
Telecommunication using radio waves.

Alarm: An alarm system that uses radio signals to generate or indicate an alarm condition, or to arm or disarm the system.

Radar level gauge: A device used mainly for measuring the contents of containers at industrial sites such as refineries. It operates in the microwave bands, using radar technology, at low power levels.

Radio local area network (RLAN): A radiocommunication device that links data networks or computers.

Radio microphone: A microphone that uses a radio link to convey speech or music to a remote receiver.

Teleapproach: The use of radiocommunication to gain information about the presence of any moving object, or to detect the presence of stationary objects using mobile equipment.

Telecommand: The use of radiocommunication for the transmission of signals to initiate, modify or terminate functions of equipment at a distance.

Telemetry: The use of radiocommunication for automatically indicating or recording measurements at a distance from the measuring instrument.

4 Why have most of these devices been exempted from licensing?

SRDs have little potential to cause interference to other radio users, provided they operate under the correct technical conditions. In keeping with the Government's general policy of deregulation and reducing unnecessary burdens on business, we have removed the need for most SRDs to be licensed.

Schedule 6 of the Statutory Instrument (SI) 2003 No. 74 (The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2003), as amended by the SI 2006 No. 2994, The Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, contains details of the current Exemption Regulations for SRDs.

Please note that the 'exemption' SI is reviewed periodically and is amended or reissued as required.

Some SRD retain the need to be licensed, to give appropriate protection to other sensitive radio communications services. See Annex 1.

5 UK Radio Interface Requirements

Under the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive 1999/5/EC, the UK must give the European Commission details of the radio interfaces it regulates.

These interfaces, published as UK Radio Interface Requirements (IRs), specify the conditions you must meet to use the radio spectrum. IR2030 (Short Range Devices) contains the requirements for SRDs' licensing and use in the specified frequency bands.

6 Channel spacing

Where applicable, IR2030 states the channel spacing permitted for each frequency band or application. The following paragraphs however contain guidance, but you must refer to IR2030 for the detailed requirements.

Where either a 12.5 or 25 kHz maximum channel is allowed in a frequency band, you do not need to move to 12.5 kHz spacing at present. Nevertheless, we prefer to see 12.5 kHz channels used wherever possible, with the use of 25 kHz channels restricted to applications requiring higher data rates or where a 25 kHz channel is mandated.

CEPT/ERC Recommendation 70-03 defines channel spacing for some frequency bands.

Where a channel spacing is defined, unless specified otherwise in IR2030, the centre of the first channel is at a distance of ½ the channel spacing from the lower edge of the frequency band.
Where no channel spacing is given, manufacturers and suppliers should try to use devices with the highest frequency stability and narrowest modulation bandwidth, so that the bands are available to as many users as possible. The signal must remain within the assigned frequency band or sub-band under normal and extreme conditions.

7 Description of Typical SRD applications

This section gives a broad outline of the uses and frequency bands available for use in the UK . For the precise details of the technical restrictions in force in the UK , the constraints detailed in IR2030 must always be complied with.

7a Non-Specific Short Range Devices

The 27 MHz, 40 MHz, 49.82 to 49.98 MHz 173 MHz, 433.05 to 434.79 MHz, 868 MHz, 869 MHz, 2400 MHz and 5800 MHz bands are intended for a wide range of applications. Please s ee IR2030 Table 3.1 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

Unless a specifically stated otherwise in IR2030, Music and Speech are generally permitted; a) in bands where a duty cycle limitation is applicable and b) when the music or speech is digitised in bands where no duty cycle limit applies.

The 434.04 to 434.79 MHz sub-band may be used for radiated powers of up to 10 mw, based on 25 kHz channel spacing. This band may also be used for airborne telemetry, subject to any further regulations required by the Civil Aviation Authority, where applicable.

In the 868.0 to 868.6 MHz, 868.7 to 869.2 MHz and 869.7 to 870 MHz sub-bands, you may combine consecutive channels for increased bandwidth, up to the maximum sub-band frequency allocation. The total signal bandwidth, including frequency stability, must be contained within the allocated sub-band under all conditions.

The 869.4 to 869.65 MHz sub-band may be used for radiated powers up to 500 mW, based on 25 kHz channel spacing. You may combine consecutive channels for increased bandwidth, up to the maximum sub-band frequency allocation. The total signal bandwidth, including frequency stability, must be contained within the allocated sub-band under all conditions.

Based on current UK experience, manufacturers should pay particular attention to the design of the receivers. Receivers with no filtering on the front-end or poor selectivity are prone to interference which may cause blocking of the receiver, which in turn could cause the device to malfunction in the presence of interference.

7b Industrial / Commercial Telemetry and Telecommand

For Industrial Telemetry & Telecommand apparatus, p lease s ee IR2030 Table 3.2 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

The 458.5 to 458.95 MHz band is primarily intended for fixed industrial or commercial use, and cannot be used for general purposes. This band excludes the three spot frequencies (at 458.8250 MHz, 458.8375 MHz and 458.9000 MHz) that are available for fixed alarms, transportable and mobile alarms and vehicle paging alarms respectively; see IR2030.

The 458.5 to 458.95 MHz band may be used as either 12.5 kHz or 25 kHz channel spacing, where the channel centre frequency is 458.5 MHz + (channel spacing x channel number). For 12.5 kHz channel spacing, the channel numbers available are 1 to 25, 28 to 31 and 33 to 35; for 25 kHz channel spacing, the channel numbers available are 1 to 12, 14, 15 and 17.

The 173.2 to 173.35 MHz band may also be used, up to a maximum radiated power of 10 mW section 7a (i) above describes the assigned frequencies applicable to channel spacings of 12.5 and 25 kHz respectively. Exceptionally, devices requiring channel assignments greater than 25 kHz may be acceptable.

The 169.4 to 169.475 MHz band may only be used for Meter Reading or for Asset Tracking and Tracing. Please see IR2030 for full details.

7c Databuoy Telemetry

This apparatus, operating in the 34 MHz and 35 MHz bands, may only be used for telemetry in a marine environment. Please see IR2030 Table 3.3 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7d Medical and Biological Applications

Medical and Biological applications may operate in the Non-Specific SRD bands and the specific allocations in Table 3.4 of IR2030. Frequency bands available include;

The 9 to 135 kHz is used for near field connectivity devices, with a duty cycle restriction.
30 to 37.5 MHz band is a low power 1 mW allocation with a duty cycle restriction.
The 300 kHz to 30 MHz band is for the use of ingestible radio pills for animal and human medical applications and normally contained wholly within the body. The typical range of operation is less than 1.5 metres.
The 173.7 to 174.0 MHz band may be used as either 12.5 kHz or 25 kHz channel spacing, where the channel centre frequency is 173.7 MHz + (channel spacing x channel number). For 12.5 kHz channel spacing, the channel numbers available are 1 to 24; for 25 kHz channel spacing, the channel numbers available are 1 to 11.
The 173.7 to 174.0 MHz band may also be used for one radio channel, although this is not recommended.
The 402 to 405 MHz band is used for ultra-low-power active medical implants only. The band is based on 25 kHz channels, which can be combined to allow for larger channels.
The 458.9625 to 459.1 MHz band may be used up to a maximum radiated power of 500 mW ERP. Either 12.5 kHz or 25 kHz channel spacing may be used, where the channel centre frequency is 458.5 MHz + (channel spacing x channel number). For 12.5 kHz channel spacing, the channel numbers available are 37 to 47; for 25 kHz channel spacing, the channel numbers available are 19 to 23.
The 173 MHz, 433 MHz and 458 MHz bands, using narrow band channels may also be used to track birds, with a maximum radiated power of 10 mW only.

7e Wideband Data Transmission Applications (WBDTS)

These devices operate in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical band. Please see IR2030 Table 3.5 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable. WBDTD is typically used in RLAN (WiFi) applications, but the use of WBDTS is not explicitly limited to this use.

7f Short Range Indoor Data Links

The 2445 to 2455 MHz, 5725 to 5875 MHz and 10.675 to 10.699 GHz bands are provided for transmitting data within a building. Music and Speech are permitted only when the using a digitised signal. Please see IR2030 Table 3.6 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7g Railway Applications

These apparatus, operating in the 4234 kHz, 4515 kHz, 27.095 MHz and 2450 MHz bands may only be used, for railway vehicle identification or for the provision of data links between the track and rail vehicles, in a railway environment. Please see IR2030 Table 3.7 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7h Devices for the locating of victims in distress or at risk

This apparatus may only be used for the transmission of signals to aid the location of victims in distress. Please see IR2030 Table 3.8 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7i Devices for Detection of Movement or Alert

This apparatus may only be used by apparatus, designed to produce a radiated field and respond to a variation in that field as a result of intrusion or movement within that field by other devices, objects, or persons, in order to detect or monitor movement. Please see IR2030 Table 3.9 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7j Radio Frequency Identification

This apparatus, operating in the 13.56 MHz and 2450 MHz bands, may only be used for illuminating and interrogating tags. Please see IR2030 Table 3.10 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

Separate Regulations exist for RFID apparatus operating in the 865 to 868 MHz band.

7k Road Transport and Traffic Telematics

This apparatus may only be used to aid in the management, control or flow of transport and traffic. Please see IR2030 Table 3.11 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable. This allocation is typically used in road management, such as road tolling; however the allocation equally applies to non-road traffic telematics as well.

Three frequency bands are available for this application:

The 5795 to 5805 MHz band is for the provision of short-range data links between roadside units and vehicles, including 'road toll systems'. Networks provided for the public or subscribers must be licensed.
The 5805 to 5815 MHz band is available as an extension to the band in (i), if extra frequencies are needed to cover multi-lane road junctions; it is allocated on a non-exclusive basis. This band may also be used for private systems, which can use either the ETSI Standard EN 300 674 or EN 300 440.
The 76 to 77 GHz band is for onboard vehicle and infrastructure radar systems.

7l Devices for Inductive Applications

These apparatus, operating in the 9 kHz to 1600 kHz and 2 MHz to 30 MHz bands, are intended for use by a wide variety of applications. Please see IR2030 Table 3.12 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

With the exception of the 9 to 135 kHz band and the 6780 kHz & 13.56 ISM bands, transmitted signals are limited to operating in the magnetic field. Music and Speech is only permitted using digitised signals.

7m Metal Detectors

This apparatus, operating in the 9 to 148.5 kHz band, may only be used for the purpose of detecting metal and are limited to operating in the magnetic field. Please see IR2030 Table 3.13 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7n Alarms

General Alarm systems, operating in the 868.6 to 868.7 MHz, 869.25 to 869.3 MHz and 869.65 to 869.7 MHz bands, may only be used to generate or indicate an alarm condition, or to arm/disarm an alarm system. Please see IR2030 Table 3.14 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7o Social Alarms for the Elderly and Infirm

Social Alarm systems, operating in the 27.45 MHz, 34.925 MHz, 34.95 MHz, 34.975 MHz, 869.2 to 869.25 MHz, 169.475 to 169.4875 MHz and 169.5875 to 169.6 MHz bands, may only be used to generate or indicate an alarm condition, or to arm/disarm an alarm system. Please see IR2030 Table 3.15 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7p Vehicle Paging Alarms

Vehicle Paging Alarm systems, operating in the 47.4 MHz or 458.9 MHz bands, may only to generate or indicate an alarm condition. Additionally, the 458.9 MHz band may be used to arm/disarm an alarm system. Please see IR2030 Table 3.16 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7q General Alarms Associated With Marine Applications Including Fixed Shore Installations

Alarm systems, associated with Marine applications, operating in the 161.275 MHz band, may only be used to generate or indicate an alarm condition, or to arm/disarm an alarm system. Please see IR2030 Table 3.17 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7r Transportable and Lone Worker Safety Alarms

Mobile , Transportable and Lone Worker Alarm systems, operating in the 173.1875 MHz and 458.8375 MHz bands, may only be used to generate or indicate an alarm condition, or to arm/disarm an alarm system. Please see IR2030 Table 3.18 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7s Fixed Alarms

Fixed Alarm systems, operating in the 173.225 MHz and 458.825 MHz bands, may only be used to generate or indicate an alarm condition, or to arm/disarm an alarm system. Please see IR2030 Table 3.19 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

7t Model Control

The Frequency bands available for model control depend on the application. Please see IR2030 Table 3.20 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable. In addition, Ofcom publish a separate on model control information Sheet OfW 311.

The 26.96 to 27.28 MHz and 458.5 to 459.5 MHz bands are for controlling general models.
The 34.945 to 35.305 MHz band is for controlling airborne models.
The 40.66 to 41.00 MHz band is for controlling models on the ground, on water or under the water.
The 433.05 to 434.79 MHz band may be used to send telemetry from models (including airborne models) back to their controller, based on 25 kHz channels.

7u Radio Microphones

Some radio microphones require a licence to operate. Please see Annex 1 for details. For the licensed class of apparatus the general maximum permitted radiated power is 10 mW. However, for body-worn radio microphones (devices intended to be worn next to or strapped to the user's body), the maximum permitted radiated power is restricted to 50 mW.

Licence Exempt Radio Microphones, operating in the 173.775 to 175.075 MHz, 173.7 to 175.1 MHz and 863 to 865 MHz bands, may only be used, as an aid to project personal voice or music. Please see IR2030 Table 3.21 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

In the 173 MHz bands, the channel plan is based on a regular channel spacing of 50 or 200 kHz. For 50 kHz channel spacing, the channel numbers are 10 to 35, where the channel centre frequency is 173.3 MHz + (channel spacing x channel number). For 200 kHz channel spacing, the channel numbers are 1 to 7, where the channel centre frequency is 173.6 MHz + (channel spacing x channel number).

7v Radio Hearing Aids

Radio Hearing Aids, operating in the 173.325 to 175.075 MHz, 169.4 to 169.475 MHz and 169.4875 to 169.5875 MHz bands, may only be used as hearing aids to the handicapped. Please see IR2030 Table 3.22 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

For the 173.325 to 175.075 MHz band, the channel plan is based on a regular channel spacing of 50 kHz. The preferred channel numbers are 1 to 5 and 7 to 9; where these channels are not available, you may use channels 10 to 35. The channel centre frequency is 173.3 MHz + (channel bandwidth x channel number).

7w Wireless Audio Applications

Wireless Audio applications, operating in the 37 MHz, 863 to 865 MHz, 864.8 to 865 MHz, 2400 to 2483.5 MHz and 87.5 to 108 MHz bands, may only be used for the purpose of providing a short range radio link between the audio outputs of devices. Please see IR2030 Table 3.23 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

The power limitation in the 87.5 to 108 MHz band is particularly stringent, at 50 nW e.r.p. This limitation and the other restrictions on apparatus have been set so that compliant apparatus is unlikely to cause interference to FM broadcasts in this band.

7x Wireless Video Cameras - Non Broadcasting

Wireless Video Cameras, operating in the 1394 MHz, 2400 to 2483.5 MHz and 5725 to 5875 MHz bands, may only be used to transmit Television signals. Please see IR2030 Table 3.24 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

Typical applications are for general-purpose closed-circuit television applications.

The 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz band, a European harmonised band, is also allowed for low-power analogue video applications. You may also use the 2.4 GHz band for airborne video applications, subject to any further regulations required by the Civil Aviation Authority, where applicable.

7y Video Distribution for Private Use

Video Distribution apparatus, operating in the 1394 MHz band, may only be used for the distribution of video and associated audio, for private use. Please see IR2030 Table 3.25 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable. Typical applications are for domestic low-power video senders

7z 24 GHz Vehicle Radar

24 GHz wideband Vehicle Radar regulations are set in accordance with the European commission Decision 2005/50/EC. Please see IR2030 Table 3.26 and the 24 GHz Automotive Short Range Radar regulations for details of the technical restrictions and the geographic exclusion zones.

These apparatus are only fitted to new vehicles. There are restrictions on the numbers of units that can come into service within the European Union. Coordination is required between vehicle manufacturers and administrations, for the use of these apparatus. No other use is permitted.

7aa 79 GHz Vehicle Radar

79 GHz Vehicle Radar regulations are set in accordance with the European commission Decision 2004/545/EC. Please see IR2030 Table 3.27 and the 79 GHz Automotive Short Range Radar regulations for details of the technical restrictions.

7ab Radar Level Gauges

These devices, which are mainly used for measuring the contents of large containers at industrial sites, operate in the microwave bands at low power. The ETSI Standard for Tank Level Probing Radar EN 302 372 covers the frequency bands 4.5 GHz to 7 GHz, 8.5 GHz to 10.6 GHz, 24.05 GHz to 27 GHz, 57 GHz to 64 GHz and 75 GHz to 85 GHz. The UK allocation of Radar Level Gauge, a similar technology is however not just limited in use to tank level probing. UK frequency bands are somewhat different and cover the 5.15 to 7.1 GHz, 8.5 to 10.85 GHz and 24.3 to 27.7 GHz band. A licence is however required for equipment operating in the 10.6 to 10.7 GHz band. Please see Annex 1 for details.

Additionally, apparatus covered by the parameters of the Detection of Movement or Alert, See Section 7i may also be used. Please see IR2030 Table 3.28 for further details of channels available, permitted maximum power and channel restrictions applicable.

8 Restrictions and Recommendations

Generally, the licence exemption regulations do not permit network operators or the provision of a third-party service. However, compliant Wide Band Data Transmission Systems (WBDTS) operating in the 2.4 GHz band may provide such services.

Transmissions should be as short as possible. Re-transmissions should be restricted to a reasonable number (typically three to five attempts).

Continuous carriers or systems with a high duty cycle should be avoided unless specifically allowed for.

Receivers using super-regenerative principles should be avoided, unless their spurious radiation limits are adequately suppressed under all conditions and they have adequate selectivity and blocking performance.

9 Interference

Most SRD bands are shared with other radio services. If you receive interference from an authorised service that is operating within the terms of an appropriate licence or under licence exemption conditions, we cannot provide any protection; you or your SRD manufacturer must find a solution.

If you suspect an illicit transmission or you think an authorised service is operating outside the terms of its licence or licence exemption, you may complain to Ofcom.

The commonest cause of interference to SRDs from licensed radio services is the design of the SRD receiver. Before you complain to Ofcom about possible third-party interference, we strongly advise you to consult your device's supplier or manufacturer, to ensure that the device is designed to operate satisfactorily within the relevant band plan. If we investigate your complaint and find that your receiver has inadequate performance, you may be liable for any official costs incurred.

When considering a receiver for a particular application, please bear in mind the following points, to reduce the potential for interference:

avoid using receivers with no front-end filtering or with poor selectivity, as these are generally at greater risk of interference from adjacent services; and
equipment using surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are likely to be prone to interference, because they need a relatively broad front-end to detect the transmitter (which may have poor frequency stability owing to the nature of the SAW device).

SRDs must not cause interference to other authorised services. If your SRD does cause interference, an authorised Ofcom representative may order you to cease your operations.

Separate receivers should be well designed, taking into account other services that may share or be in adjacent bands. Please pay particular attention to spurious response rejection, selectivity, blocking and desensitisation. The ETSI Standard EN 300 220-2 provides recommended limits.

10 The R& TTE Directive, type approval and marking requirements

Since April 2000, the R& TTE Directive has removed the need for national type approval, replacing it with a conformity assessment regime based on manufacturers' self-declarations. Manufacturers take full responsibility for the conformance of their equipment.

The R&TTE Directive provides for its own marking requirement for SRDs. This marking replaces all the other type-approval marking requirements under the MPT Specifications and CEPT Recommendation 70-03.

11 Superseded specifications

All 'W', 'BR' and MPT 1300 series of specifications relating to SRDs have been superseded by the relevant ETSI Standards. In most cases you may continue to use equipment type-approved to a superseded specification, provided it does not cause interference. If it does cause interference, you may be instructed to cease operation by an authorised Ofcom representative.

12 Services to be withdrawn

The current SRD allocation at 418 MHz will be withdrawn for new apparatus.

After 31 December 2007 , we expect to reassign the 418 MHz band. New SRD equipment or systems using the 418 MHz band will not be able to be placed on the UK market. However, we will allow existing SRDs using the 418 MHz band to continue operating in that band, provided they do not cause interference.

NOTE: Currently, there is no requirement on users to change their equipment, if it is functioning correctly.

13 Testing and Development, and Temporary Use

If development work is needed before a piece of equipment is placed on the market, this may be carried out under the authority of a Non-Operational Technology Development licence.

If you want to demonstrate equipment to potential customers, or you have not completed conformity assessment procedures, we may be able to authorise the equipment's non-operational use.

14 European Radiocommunications Committee (ERC)

The ERC is a committee under the Conference of European Postal and Telecommunication Administrations (CEPT). It deals with CEPT's radio matters and issues decisions, recommendations and reports.

The ERC has rationalised its Recommendations dealing with low power, SRDs and other similar applications into one Recommendation, entitled 'CEPT/ERC Recommendation 70-03'.

Please note that the Recommendation has not been fully adopted in the UK

15 European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)

ETSI is a European standards-making body, responsible for developing and publishing European Telecommunications Standards (ENs) and, where appropriate, its own ETSI Standards (ESs).

The European Commission has mandated ETSI to develop ENs as harmonised Standards for use under the R& TTE Directive. Equipment complying with these standards also conforms to the R& TTE Directive's requirements; however, there are other ways of conforming to the Directive without using these or any other specific standards.

Following changes within ETSI's Electromagnetic and Radio Matters Group (ERM), a number of task groups (TGs) have been formed. The main TGs of interest are:

TG 17 (concerned with radio microphones and cordless audio devices (among other issues);

TG 28 (concerned with generic SRD applications);

TG 30 (concerned with medical applications);

TG 31A (concerned with Generic Ultra Wide Band);

TG 31B (concerned with Automotive Ultra Wide Band); and

TG 34 (concerned with 'high-power' radio frequency identification systems).

For further details of the ETSI ERM TGs, contact the Low Power Radio Association (LPRA).

16 Illegal devices

Under the WT Act, it is an offence to use and install apparatus that does not comply with the R& TTE Regulations 2000, SI 2000 No. 730 and the relevant UK Radio Interface Requirement (unless it was type-approved before 8 April 2000).

It is also an offence to possess or have in your control such a device with intent to use it, or knowing that another person is likely to use it, contrary to the WT Act.

The maximum penalty for each of these offences is a £5,000 fine and/or six months' imprisonment on summary conviction, or an unlimited fine and/or two years' imprisonment on conviction on indictment. The Courts may also order you to forfeit any wireless telegraphy apparatus or any other apparatus, vehicle, vessel or aircraft used to commit the offence.

17 Contacts for further information

Low Power Radio Association

The LRPA is a trade association for those involved with telemetry, telecommand, alarms and other low-power devices. Its main aims are to encourage high standards of design and installation in the industry, to ensure efficient use of the spectrum. An Ofcom/LPRA forum meets regularly to discuss important issues affecting the low-power industry.

For further information and LPRA membership details, contact:

LPRA Secretariat
LPRA
Excelsiorlaan 91
B-1930 Zaventem
Belgium

Telephone: +32 (2) 714 54 90
Fax: +32 (2) 720 20 60
Email: info@lpra.org

European
Radiocommunications Office
For copies of ERC Recommendations, Decisions, Reports and other information about radio matters within Europe , contact:

European
Radiocommunications Office
Peblingehus
Nansensgade 19
DK 1366 Copenhagen
Denmark

Tel: 0045 3389 6300
Fax: 0045 3389 6330
E-mail: ero@ero.dk
Website: www.ero.dk

Statutory Instruments
Copies of relevant SIs can be downloaded from our website (see section 4) or direct from the Office of Public Sector Information.

European Standards
ENs and ESs can be obtained direct from ETSI at www.etsi.org or from the British Standards Institution ( BSI ):

BSI Customer Services
BSI Standards
Chiswick High Road
London W4 4AL

Tel: 020 8996 7000
Fax: 020 8996 7001

18. Further information

Enquiries about information given in this information sheet should be addressed to the Ofcom Contact Centre in the following ways:

Phone

0300 123 3333

Email

contact@ofcom.org.uk

Fax

0300 123 0811

Post

Ofcom Contact Centre
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA

Important note about personal data

Ofcom complies with the Data Protection Act. If you are making a complaint Ofcom may pass on your details, as appropriate, for the purposes of dealing with your complaint.