Ofcom - Wireless Telegraphy Exemption Consultation

On Tuesday Ofcom published proposals to amend the Wireless Telegraphy (Exemption) Regulations 2003, to make a range of wireless devices free from the need to hold a licence.

Ofcom welcome comments or views on any aspect of this document by 5pm on 27 November 2007.

In particular:
Question 1)  Do you agree with our proposal to permit the licence-exempt use of Building Material Analysis devices in specific spectrum bands using Ultra Wide Band technology?

In 3.7 the document says

"higher permitted power levels are available in the bands 1.215-1.5 GHz, 1.61-1.66 GHz, 2.5-2.69 GHz band and 2.7-3.4 GHz. In order to operate at higher power levels the device must use "Listen Before Talk" (LBT) polite protocol.
The higher power thresholds for these bands are set out in IR2069."

The LBT protocol could cause significant interference to weak signal users of the spectrum such as SSB/CW terrestrial Amateur Radio and the Amateur Satellite Service since it is unlikely that such low level narrow band signals would be
detected by equipment using the LBT protocol.

Question 2) Do you agree with our proposal to exempt users of High Density applications in the Fixed Satellite Service operating with e.i.r.p. no greater than 50 dBW in the 27.50-27.8185 GHz, 28.4585-28.8265 GHz and 29.4625-30 GHz
bands from the need to possess a WT licence?

Question 3) Do you agree with our proposal to allow an increase in power for Meter Reading & Asset Tracking licence-exempt devices in the 169.4 - 169.475 MHz band to 500mW?

Question 4) Do you have any comments on our proposals to align with the draft Commission Decision relating to SRDs??

Question 5) Do you have any comments on our proposal to simplify the LMSS equipment listings in the Exemption Regulations and IR2016?

The consultation, which closes on 27 November 2007, can be found at:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/wtle/summary/

Consultation document:
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/wtle/wtle.pdf