ASA upholds complaint over “interference free” microwave claim

The issue arose in October 2017, when Purdicom posted on LinkedIn saying that “Siklu MM Wave technology enables interference free high speed network connectivity between an unlimited number of buildings”, while the solutions page of its website stated: “Purdicom offers the exclusive use of 32GHz to its customers proving interference free spectrum for high speed backhaul with quicker and cheaper licenses” and that “By using microwave wireless capacity is increased up to Gbps, data transmission will be interference free”.

Dundastech, which understood that it was not possible to provide interference free radio, challenged whether these claims that Purdicom offered “interference free” radio frequencies were misleading and could be substantiated.

According to the ASA ruling, Purdicom stated that it did not consider that interference was defined as any signal that could be perceived by a receiver. It acknowledged that although some radio frequency signals operating within the vicinity of the radio may be perceived as interference, it was only when the Signal Interference Ratio (SIR) was below a certain level that the radio was being subjected to interference. It stated that the 32GHz frequency spectrum used by its technology underwent the regulatory standards defined by Ofcom and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (the Act). It also stated that the Act required that no radio equipment was installed or used in the UK except under the authority of a license.