by Playfuls Staff |
24th November 2006
Ofcom announced that the use of certain low power FM
transmitters, which wirelessly connect MP3 players and other personal audio devices
to radios and in-car entertainment systems, will be legal for use in the [more]
UK
from 8 December 2006.
Simple and low cost wireless devices, such as the “iTrip”,
are commonly used to enable people to listen to music transmitted from an MP3
player or other audio device to radios in the home or on the move.
Equipment previously available carries a high risk of
interference to other broadcast services. However, in response to consumer
demand Ofcom has led negotiations in Europe to
develop a harmonised technical approach designed to limit the potential of
interference to other wireless devices.
The FM transmitters that meet these specifications, and
which will be legal to use in the UK, will carry a CE mark indicating
approval for sale in the European Union. Their use will be legalised under the
Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 which come into
effect on 8 December. The regulations set out the technical specifications for
FM transmitters.
The regulations will also remove the need for a Citizens’
Band radio licence, reducing the administrative and cost burden for around 20,000
licensees using these short-range transmitters.
The regulations also make more spectrum available to meet
consumer demand for other low power devices such as hearing aids, alarms
systems, tracking and tracing systems and meter reading devices operating in
the 169.4 -169.8125 MHz band.
