Cordless Telephone Information Sheet

Introduction

The past few years have seen fast moving developments in the field of telecommunications. The purpose of this information sheet is to assist users and suppliers of cordless telephone apparatus by describing the apparatus available and detailing the licensing position and legislative background.

Every effort is made to keep the regulation of cordless telephones as simple and un-bureaucratic as possible. But a degree of regulation is necessary in order to protect the public telephone system from being affected by incompatible apparatus and to prevent harmful radio interference. This information sheet is a summary only and is not a substitute for the actual legislation. If you are in doubt about how the legislation applies to you, further information may be obtained in writing to the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) or to OFTEL at the addresses given at the end of this leaflet.

What is a Cordless Telephone?

Cordless telephones operate by the use of a low power radio link between handset and base station, which in turn is connected to the public telephone network.

Types of Cordless Telephone

CT1 - This first generation cordless telephone provides a maximum range of about 200 metres between handset and base station (individual models may have a range considerably less than this) and is primarily designed for domestic use. Introduced in 1983 when use of cordless telephones first became legally permitted in this country, CT1 telephones have to conform to RA performance specification MPT 1322 (as amended) or MPT 1384. Operation has to be on not more than one of the pair of frequencies set out below at any one time:

Based on the responses to the 1996 Cordless Consultation document published by the RA and DTI, a further eight paired channels, for use by analogue CT1 cordless phones in the 31 and 39 MHz frequency bands are now available. This new allocation was made to overcome congestion in the existing analogue CT1 bands, pending the wider availability of low cost digital cordless phones for the consumer market. The eight channels will employ 25 kHz spacing and equipment operating on these frequencies must be type approved to MPT 1384. These frequencies can be used to send and receive voice or data messages over a telecomm-unications system and operation has to be on not more than one of the pair of frequencies set out below at any one time:

Extended Range CT1 - A variation of CT1 which is designed to meet demand primarily in rural areas for a cordless telephone capable of a far longer range from handset to base station of up to 2Km. Equipment must conform to RA specification MPT 1371 (as amended) and the apparatus must operate on only one of the following pairs of frequencies:

Manufacturers are allowed the option to offer 12.5 kHz channel products according to this specification as an alternative to the current 25 kHz products.

CT2 - The CT2 uses digitised speech and digital transmission thereby offering a clearer voice signal than analogue CT1. Another advantage is that CT2 does not suffer from the inherent interference problems associated with CT1.

The specifications for CT2 are MPT 1334 and MPT 1375 or the Interim European Telecommunications Standard I-ETS 300 131, and the operating frequencies are in the band 864.1 MHz to 868.1 MHz using frequency division multiple access digital technology.

Digital European Cordless Telecommunications Apparatus (DECT, also known as Digital Enhanced Telecommunications Apparatus)

There continues to be a strong market interest in cordless telephones for residential and private office use and domestic cordless telephones based on the DECT specification are now becoming widely available. The DECT specification was developed by ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) and operates throughout Europe in the frequency band 1880 - 1900 MHz according to EC directive 91/287/EEC. The Common Technical Regulations (CTR’s) applicable to DECT equipment are CTR 6, 10 and 22. The CTRs invoke TBR 6, 10 and 22, which are available from ETSI (website: http://www.etsi.org).

DECT systems may consist of one or more base stations, repeater stations and portable stations. The stations can be used to send and receive voice or data messages or visual images either directly between a base station and a portable station or between a base station and a portable station through a repeater station. DECT base stations must operate within the frequency band 1880 - 1900 MHz.

For the purpose of this paragraph, “repeater station” means a station which relays the voice or data message or visual image between the base station and one or more portable stations.

Licensing

The use of radio equipment is generally subject to licensing under Section 1 (1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (WT Act). However, Exemption Regulations have been made which means that users of cordless telephones for domestic or private use, which have been type approved to the relevant specification, do not need a separate WT Act licence.

Public Access Cordless Telephony Licence

To provide cordless CT2 and DECT services commercially, a licence is required under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 in addition to the Telecommunications Act Cordless Class licence. A licence fee is required to provide these services and is renewable annually.

The Wireless Telegraphy Act licence for public access cordless services will allow tele-communications operators to provide cordless services to business users on a commercial basis, using the radio spectrum designated to DECT and CT2. The service provided may consist of both voice and/or data applications.

The licence applies only to the provision of services to third parties. Companies who self provide their own systems using DECT or CT2 may still do so under the relevant Exemption Regulations and do not require a licence.

The DECT or CT2 equipment used in the cordless system must be covered by a valid approval certification covering both the EMC and radio requirements, and connection to the public telecommunications network (PSTN). For CT2, a UK type approval certificate is required under Section 84 of the Telecommunications Act 1984, issued by BABT or the Radiocommunications Agency, together with EMC certification. DECT is to be approved as Terminal Equipment under the Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive 91/263/EEC. For the obligations covering equipment for connection to the public telecommunications network, advice should be sought from the British Approvals Board for Telecommunications (BABT); for details see below.

Applicants are advised to note that the radio spectrum identified for CT2 and DECT is used predominantly for private cordless systems which as described above are exempt from licensing under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. To minimise the risk of interference to private cordless systems that may result from the operation of third party services, third party services are at present restricted from operating in certain geographic areas where demand for private systems is anticipated to be particularly high. These areas are identified by postcode and are as follows: EC1-4, SW1, WC1-2, W1, B1-4, and M1-3. The extent of these exclusion areas will be reviewed periodically by the RA to reflect the take up of private and third party systems.

Installation

Users of cordless telephones should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for their installation and in particular fully deploy aerials on the base units. Failure to do this may lead to poor quality of service.

Type Approval

Approved cordless telephones are those models which manufacturers have had type approved to the appropriate specification.

Type approval testing is carried out by accredited and authorised Test Houses. The names and addresses of such Test Houses are listed in the Information Sheet RA 293 titled A List Of Accredited Test Houses Acceptable to the Radiocommunications Agency for Type Approval and EMC Type Examination of Radio Equipment. Information Sheets are obtainable from the RA Library, the address of which is given at the end of this notice.

Type approval certificates are issued by the RA and by Radio Equipment Conformity Assessment Bodies (RECABs). RECABs have been appointed by the RA to assess type approval applications and issue type approval certificates. Further details are given in Information Sheet RA 207.

Cordless telephones may connect into the Public Switched Telephone Network and therefore should also be approved by the British Approvals Board for Telecommunications (BABT). For further information contact:

British Approvals Board for Telecommunications
Claremount House
34 Molesey Road
Hersham
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 4RQ

email: customer.services@babt.com
Website: http://www.babt.com

For further information contact: 01932 251200

Approved cordless telephones are marked to show that they conform to the relevant MPT specification. They are also marked with a green disc and a statement that they are approved for connection to the public telephone network.

Unapproved Equipment

It is an offence to use, import, manufacture, sell, advertise or possess, without authorisation, non-approved cordless telephones. Use of such apparatus, particularly high power models that are available in some other countries, can cause harmful interference to other authorised radio users. It is also an offence to connect them to the public telephone system.

Where necessary, the Agency will prosecute or take other enforcement action under the Wireless Telegraphy Acts to prevent the harmful interference caused by those who use non-approved apparatus or possess such apparatus without authority to do so. Agency officials can seize apparatus found in unlawful use or possession and the courts can order its forfeiture.

Importation: Travellers intending to purchase cordless telephones abroad for use in this country should beware.

Such telephones are unlikely to meet the relevant performance specification or be approved for connection to the public telephone system in the UK. They are liable to be seized and forfeited by Customs and Excise and their use may not only cause harmful interference but may also be illegal. Even possession may be an offence.

A General Authority has been issued to allow firms to import non-approved cordless telephones on a commercial basis for re-export provided the goods are held in a Customs warehouse while in the UK.

There are various conditions attached to the General Authority, including that certain documents should be kept available for inspection. Failure to comply with the conditions could be a criminal offence. Firms wishing to take advantage of the General Authority are therefore recommended to study its terms and conditions. A copy may be obtained from the RA at the address in the next paragraph.

Firms wishing to import non-approved cordless telephones on a commercial basis for re-export but not to hold them in a Customs warehouse or anyone wishing to import non-approved cordless telephones for research, testing or development should apply to the RA for the necessary specific Authority. For further information on either the General Authority or how to obtain a specific Authority, contact:

RA3 Enforcement Policy Unit
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX

Tel: 020 7211 0463
Fax:020 7211 0035

Interference

Users of cordless telephones should note that they are not “protected” from interference from other radio services unless the radio service causing the interference is itself in breach of the legislation.

Moreover, there are only a limited number of frequencies available for CT1 and extended range CT1 cordless telephones. The numbers of cordless telephones using these frequencies has increased significantly in recent years with the result that users, particularly in urban areas, may experience frequency congestion. This is likely to take the form of co-channel interference from other users on the same frequency.

Users suffering interference should consult their instruction manual and contact their supplier (or BT if the telephone is rented from BT) for advice if necessary.

It is possible that a frequency change will solve the problem or that there is a fault that can be rectified.

Security Users should be aware that cordless telephone conversations are not secure. In certain circumstances, conversations can be received by other radio listeners.

Further Information

For copies of the technical standards applicable please contact:

The Information and Library Service
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX

Tel: 020 7211 0502/0505
Fax: 020 7211 0507

email: library@ra.gsi.gov.uk

Lists of approved models of cordless telephones can be obtained from:

The Research and Intelligence Unit
Office of Telecommunications (OFTEL)
Export House
50 Ludgate Hill
London EC4M 7JJ

Tel: 020 7634 8761

Enquiries about information given in this information sheet should be addressed to:

Public Telecommunications Networks Unit
Radiocommunications Agency
Wyndham House
189 Marsh Wall
London E14 9SX

Tel: 020 7211 0239

For further information on other radio matters contact the Agency’s 24 hour telephone enquiry service 020 7211 0211.

Website: www.radio.gov.uk

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