Restricted Apparatus

Section 7 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1967 allows restrictions to be made in respect of certain radio equipment in order to prevent or reduce the risk of interference. There are three section 7 Orders currently in force which make it illegal to manufacture, import, sell, advertise or possess specified equipment as follows:

Cordless Telephones

The Wireless Telegraphy (Cordless Telephone Apparatus) (Restriction and Marking) Order 1999 applies to Cordless telephones operating below 853MHz which do not conform to Agency specifications. Cordless telephones (not to be confused with mobile telephones) operate by the use of a low power radio link between the handset and base station, which in turn is connected to the public telephone network. The different types of cordless telephones are described in RA193 Cordless Telephone Information Sheet.

Certain cordless telephones operating on frequencies below 853MHz, which do not conform to Agency specifications, are prohibited from importation into the UK, except under authority, because their use can cause interference to other radio users. Such equipment is liable to be seized on import and forfeited by HM Customs and Excise. 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. Firms wishing to import non-approved cordless telephones on a commercial basis for re-export but not hold them in a Customs warehouse or anyone wishing to import for research, testing or development, should apply to the Enforcement Policy Unit for specific authority. It is also illegal to manufacture, advertise, sell or possess unapproved cordless telephones.

Citizens' Band (CB) Radio

The Wireless Telegraphy (Citizens' Band and Amateur Apparatus) (Various Provisions) Order 1998 applies to Citizens' Band radios operating in the frequency band 26.1-28MHz which do not conform to Agency specifications or UK Radio Interface Requirements.

CB radios which do not conform to Agency specifications or UK Radio Interface Requirements can cause serious interference to other radio services, including TV reception. For more details about CB radio see RA 246 Citizens' Band Radio Information Sheet.

Videosenders

The Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Videosenders) Order 1998 applies to Videosenders which transmit in the frequency band 470-854MHz.

Videosenders are devices which incorporate a radio transmitter, enabling pictures to be sent from a video recorder or camera to a separate television in, for example, another room of the house. Legal videosenders transmit in the frequency band 1389 - 1399 MHz and are exempt from the requirement of a licence. Illegal videosenders transmitting in the frequency band 470 - 854 MHz have been the cause of many complaints of interference to TV reception, particularly in properties adjoining that where the device is being used, and can affect nearby frequencies used by the emergency services. In order to prevent these interference problems, the Wireless Telegraphy (Control of Interference from Videosenders) Order, which came into force on 20 April 1998, restricts the manufacture, importation, sale, advertisement or possession of videosenders which transmit in the frequency band 470-854MHz. See Press Notice of 5 August 1997.