Interference To Business Radio

Business Radio

The Term business radio is applied to all radio systems (e.g. land mobile, maritime, fixed link) that businesses are licensed to use for the purpose of conducting their business.

As part of its enforcement role the Agency will investigate interference to business users free of charge. The Agency's priorities are to deal firstly with interference affecting safety of life services; secondly with interference affecting businesses; and, finally, to deal with all other complaints. The Agency aims to respond to 98% of business complaints within one week, the remaining 2% of complaints to be dealt with within a further five days. In 2000/2001 this target was fully met. Interference problems should be reported to the Agency's local offices. For addresses and telephone numbers see RA 206 Radiocommunications Agency's Local Offices

Local offices of the Agency also offer the commercial sector a paid service, charged at a rate to recover costs, to investigate interference within their own radio installations. The charge for this service is £57.00 per man-hour plus VAT, see RA 416. Further details can be obtained from the local offices.

In addition to its local staff the Agency has three specialised Mobile Interference and EMC Laboratories which are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited and can investigate complex radio problems and offer consultancy on electromagnetic compatibility problems. A standard rate of £1,293 per day plus VAT is charged for this specialised team. For further details see RA 300 Baldock Monitoring Facilities.

Non-compliant Radio Equipment

The Agency will also act on any information regarding the marketing or use of non-compliant (see RTTE below) radio equipment. Non-complaint radio equipment can cause interference to other radio users. Poor build quality and the absence of compliance testing gives an unfair commercial advantage over those companies that market compliant equipment.

If you are experiencing either interference to business radio or you have concerns about a type of radio equipment that is on the market please e-mail Martin Pike at martin.pike@ra.gsi.gov.uk or telephone him on 020 7211 0460.

Licence Exempt Radio Equipment

Businesses may use radio equipment that is exempted from licensing by Exemption Regulations currently in force. However, the Agency will not investigate or offer protection from interference to such systems arising from other authorised radio use. Businesses should therefore consider whether such equipment is suitable for their business needs.

RTTE

The introduction of the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) Directive in April 2000 marked a radical change in the way manufacturers or distributors of radio equipment demonstrate conformity with the appropriate requirements. The Directive allows manufacturers far greater flexibility in the way they market their products in countries that are part of the European Union. With effect from 8 April 2000 the type approval regime was replaced with a system that gives a choice as to how manufacturers obtain conformity. Until 8 April 2001 there is a period of transition where it is possible to market products that received Type Approval prior to 8 April 2000. However after this date all new products must comply with the conditions of the RTTE Regulations. They must also meet the appropriate Interface Requirements if they are to be used.

For further details of the technical impact of the RTTE Directive please e-mail David Donachie david.donachie@ra.gsi.gov.uk in the Agency's Technology Sectors Unit or telephone him on 020 7211 0235.

Broadband non-Radio Technology

New Broadband non-Radio Technology may cause interference to radio systems operating below 30MHz. Information on how such problems may be resolved can be found on the Broadband non-Radio Technology page of the RA website.