28.11.2018

“In recent years, we encountered an upsurge in the cases of harmful interference from DECT 6.0 telephone sets without CE marking that jeopardize the functioning of electronic communications services, especially mobile communications ones. These DECT 6.0 telephones are set for operation in frequency bands that differ from the frequency allocations in the EU. Thus, in 2016 we identified approximately 150 such fixed wireless telephone sets, three times as many in 2017, and almost 700 in 2018. We warn the users that operating such equipment is forbidden by law and urge them to purchase only devices that comply with European standards”, declared Cristin Popa, Executive Director of the Authority. 

Monitoring campaign

During April – October 2018, ANCOM conducted a monitoring campaign on the radio frequencies affected by the emissions of non-conforming radio equipment, locating the respective equipment and informing the users on the applicable legal provisions. By the end of the campaign, conducted on a national level by the Authority’s regional divisions, almost 700 DECT 6.0 telephone sets had been detected and withdrawn from service.

ANCOM’s Bucharest Regional Division, which also coordinates the counties of Arges, Brasov, Buzau, Calarasi, Constanta, Dambovita, Giurgiu, Ialomita, Olt, Prahova, Teleorman, Tulcea and Valcea, detected and disconnected 344 non-compliant telephone sets, while the Authority’s Cluj Regional Division (counties of Alba, Bihor, Bistrita-Nasaud, Cluj, Covasna, Harghita, Maramurea, Murea, Satu-Mare, Salaj and Sibiu) located and put out of service 158 such devices.

Timis Regional Division, which coordinates the counties of Arad, Caras-Severin, Dolj, Gorj, Hunedoara, Mehedinti and Timis, and Iasi Regional Division, monitoring the counties of Bacau, Botosani, Braila, Galati, Iasi, Neamt, Suceava, Vaslui and Vrancea, identified and disconnected 91 such DECT 6.0 telephone sets each.

DECT 6.0 telephones without CE marking

Fixed DECT 6.0 telephones without the CE marking come mostly from the United States, Canada, or from Asian countries and are intended for use in these countries. These telephones operate in frequency bands that have been allocated for other services in Romania, namely for 3G broadband mobile telephony and internet services. When such a non-compliant device is put into service on the territory of Romania, it produces harmful interference that disrupts the operation of mobile telephony services. Thus, when a non-compliant device is put into operation on the territory of Romania, the number of users able to use their mobile telephony or internet service in that area significantly decreases, consequently call initiation is often hampered, and ongoing calls are interrupted. 

In most of the cases identified and solved by ANCOM, telephones without a CE marking were introduced in Romania by people who had travelled to the Americas or were sent by third parties, generally relatives of the users. Such telephones were used in private homes, for personal purposes.

In extreme cases, the interference caused by these types of telephones may affect calls to the emergency number 112.

Remember!

Users holding fixed Wireless DECT telephone sets must check the presence of the CE marking on the device. If there is no such marking, they must immediately disconnect the device (both the portable terminal powered by battery/rechargeable battery and its base station, either powered by battery/rechargeable battery or connected to a power source on the electrical grid.

DECT 6.0 telephone sets without CE marking may cause harmful interference to electronic communications services, when connected to the power source.  

Applicable sanctions

If holders of such equipment continue to use it, they breach the provisions of Government Decision no. 740/2016 on making available on the market of radio equipment, this offense being sanctioned by fine amounting from RON 500 to RON 5,000. Further information on non-compliant electronic equipment and household appliances, the CE marking and the obligations incumbent on manufacturers, distributors and consumers are available on the Authority's website.