The Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Repeater) (Exemption) Regulations 2018

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Repeater) (Exemption) Regulations 2018 and shall come into force on 12th April 2018.

Interpretation

2.  In these Regulations—

(a) “downlink frequencies” means the frequency bands 791-721 MHz, 925-960 MHz, 1805-1880 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz;

(b) “ETSI” means the European Telecommunications Standards Institute;

(c) “GSM system” means an electronic communications network that complies with standards EN 301 502(1) and EN 301 511(2) published by ETSI for the Global System for Mobile Communications (also known as GSM);

(d) “indoors” means inside premises which—

(i) have a ceiling or a roof; and

(ii) except for any doors, windows or passageways, are wholly enclosed;

(e) “IR2102.1” means section “2102.1: Minimum requirements for the use of: static mobile phone repeaters for indoor use” contained within the document with title “UK Interface Requirements IR2102 - Licence exempt static indoor and low gain mobile phone repeaters” published by Ofcom on 22 March 2018;

(f) “IR2102.2” means section “2102.2: Minimum requirements for the use of: low gain mobile phone repeaters for in-vehicle use” contained within the document with title “UK Interface Requirements IR2102 - Licence exempt static indoor and low gain mobile phone repeaters” published by Ofcom on 22 March 2018;

(g) “LTE system” means an electronic communications network that complies with standards EN 301 908—1(3), EN 301 908—13(4) and EN 301 908—14(5) published by ETSI for the Long Term Evolution telecommunication system (also known as LTE);

(h) “MHz” means megahertz;

(i) “mobile repeater device” means a wireless telegraphy station or wireless telegraphy apparatus which amplifies the radio signals carried over a GSM system, a LTE system, a UMTS system or a WiMAX system;

(j) “motor vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads;

(k) “UMTS system” means an electronic communications network that complies with standards EN 301 908—1, 301 908—2(6) and EN 301 908—3(7) published by ETSI for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (also known as UMTS);

(l) “uplink frequencies” means the frequency bands 832-862 MHz, 880-915 MHz, 1710-1785 MHz and 1920-1980 MHz; and

(m) “WiMAX system” means an electronic communications network that complies with standards EN 301 908—1, EN 301 908—21(8) and EN 301 908—22(9) published by ETSI for the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access telecommunication system (also known as WiMAX).

Exemption for indoor use

3.—(1) The establishment, installation and use of a mobile repeater device is exempt from the provisions of section 8(1) of the Act where the terms, provisions and limitations in this regulation are met.

(2) The mobile repeater device and its establishment, installation and use must comply with IR2102.1.

(3) The mobile repeater device must only be established, installed and used where the transmissions it makes using downlink frequencies are made indoors.

(4) The mobile repeater device may amplify signals carried over a GSM system, a UMTS system, an LTE system or a WiMAX system or more than one of them. Where it amplifies signals carried over an LTE system or a WiMAX system or both, it must also amplify signals carried over a GSM system or a UMTS system or both.

(5) The establishment, installation and use must not cause or contribute to any undue interference to any wireless telegraphy.

Exemption for use in a motor vehicle

4.—(1) The establishment, installation and use of a mobile repeater device is also exempt from the provisions of section 8(1) of the Act where the terms, provisions and limitations in this regulation are met.

(2) The mobile repeater device and its establishment, installation and use must comply with IR2102.2.

(3) The mobile repeater device must only be established, installed and used in a motor vehicle.

(4) The establishment, installation and use must not cause or contribute to any undue interference to any wireless telegraphy.

Philip Marnick

Group Director Spectrum Group

For and by the authority of the Office of Communications

22nd March 2018