New EC rule deals big blow to BPL

The European Parliament will soon have a new law that may become the global turning point against radio frequency pollution from Broadband over Power Lines systems.

Jim Linton VK3PC reports

Europe enters 2005 with some very positive news that the European Union has amended its 1989 Electromagnetic Compatibility or EMC Directive.

Its new Directive, which comes into force on the 20th of January 2005, includes protection against electromagnetic disturbance for both radio broadcast reception and the amateur radio service - clearly against the hopes of the BPL lobby.

The International Amateur Radio Union Region 1 EUROCOM Working Group, in its efforts, also gained a much broader definition of Electromagnetic Disturbance. Working Group Chairman, Gaston Bertels ON4WF explains it was a long process that included meeting with and working through Members of the European Parliament to have amendments submitted to the European Parliament Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy.

Arguments put by the Working Group stressed the role of amateur radio including its safety and emergency communications and the human right to have access information including that provided through radio broadcasts. And of course the inherent protection for radio services from harmful or substantial interference provided by the International Telecommunications Union radio regulations.

The BPL lobby has been trying to have European, and other regulators, let them off the hook in relation to radio frequency interference caused by BPL systems. Its tactic has been to try and categorise amateur radio and other radio services as being "less important" and not that worthy of being protected against harmful interference generated by BPL systems.

There is no cause for satisfaction by BPL lobby in the new European EMC Directive which will soon be European Law binding on the 25 member states of the European Union.

Congratulations to all involved with the IARU Region 1 EUROCOM Working Group - a job well done.

Jim Linton VK3PC

Source: Wireless Institute of Australia

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