The Wireless Telegraphy (Radio Frequency Identification Equipment) (Exemption) Regulations 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations exempt the establishment or installation of radio frequency identification equipment and the use of radio frequency identification equipment so established or installed from the requirement to be licensed under section 1(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (c. 54).

Under regulation 4(1) the exemption is limited to equipment which operates in the frequency band 865 MHz to 868 MHz (regulation 4(1)(a)), using one or more of the frequency channels which have a centre frequency specified in the Schedule and a bandwidth no greater than 200 kHz (regulation 4(1)(b)), which does not cause or contribute to any undue interference to wireless telegraphy (regulation 4(1)(c)) and which emits transmissions at the specified frequencies with the power levels set out in regulation 4(1)(d).

In the case of equipment which is a capable of initiating communication with other equipment (an interrogator) further technical limitations apply. Such equipment must meet requirements as to beam-width (regulation 4(2)(a)), commencement of transmission (regulation 4(2)(b)), timing of transmission (regulation 4(2)(c)) and time between transmissions (regulation 4(2)(d).

A full regulatory impact assessment and report of the effect that these Regulations will have on the costs to business is available to the public from the OFCOM Library at Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA (Tel: [phone]) or on the OFCOM internet web site at www.ofcom.org.uk. Copies of the report have also been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament.