Wireless offences consultation

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has launched a consultation on proposals to introduce fixed penalty fines for certain offences committed under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.

The consultation, which is being run by the DTI rather than Ofcom, seeks views on the type of offence for which fixed penalty notices may be imposed and the level of fine to be paid.

Wireless Telegraphy Act offences are currently prosecutable under criminal law. The DTI's proposals, if adopted, would enable summary-only offences (which currently carry a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine) to be settled by way of a fixed penalty notice procedure.

Offences could include, for example, operating a transmitter without a licence where one is required, operating outside of the conditions of a licence, or operating outside of the conditions that allow exemption from the need for a licence. The DTI consultation document can be found on the DTI web site at: www.dti.gov.uk/consultations

Source: GB2RS News - Courtesy of the RSGB