Ofcom opens consultation to harmonise bands for short-range wireless devices

Ofcom has published proposals for new regulations regarding the use of certain short-range wireless devices.

The proposal will allow short-range devices using the 874 to 876 and 915 to 921MHz spectrum bands to operate on a licence-exempt basis. Such devices might include baby monitors, keyless entry cards, alarms and some Wi-Fi systems.

This follows a European Commission initiative to harmonise the frequencies and technical parameters for certain categories of short-range devices.

The regulator is also consulting on revoking an existing licence exemption for railway level-crossing radar sensor systems and replacing it with a national licence for these systems, They are used by Network Rail to monitor railway intersections and to detect obstacles that may cause damage to trains.

The current licence exemption specifies that these radars cannot be used within 20km of six UK radio astronomy sites, but the regulator has said all parties have agreed to remove these exclusion zones.

The regulator has said responses to this consultation should be shared by 5pm on the 17 January 2020. Full details can be found here.