Press Releases

Electronic equipment without CE marking affects mobile communications (telephony, internet) services!

16.06.2016

 

“In the recent years, ANCOM detected and settled numerous cases of harmful interference that affected the smooth operation of electronic communications services, especially of mobile communications ones. After missions of monitoring and control of the radio spectrum, the Authority’s technical teams found 59 such cases determined by the use of more than 150 fixed wireless telephone terminals (DECT 6.0), without a CE marking. The consumers should be warned that the use of such equipment is illegal. Everybody should buy only  equipment produced according to the European standards”, declared Cristin Popa, executive director of ANCOM. 
DECT 6.0 telephone terminals, most of which were brought from the USA or Canada, as well as from Asia, operate in frequency bands that used for different services in Romania, i.e. for 3G broadband mobile ineternet and mobile telephony. In most of the cases identified and settled by ANCOM, these terminals had been introduced in Romania by natural persons coming from America or had been sent by third parties, generally users’ relatives. They had been used in private residences, for personal use.
What happens when using such equipment?
When used on the territory of Romania, such a non-conforming telephone terminal produces harmful interference on mobile telephony equipment. When a base station for mobile internet and telephony is affected by such an interference, a whole series of cascade effects occur: the base station coverage shrinks, the number of users that can benefit from mobile internet of telephony in that area is significantly reduced, calling becomes impossible and ongoing calls are interrupted.
The source of harmful interference is difficult to detect, as far as fixed wireless terminals (DECT 6.0) are concerned, due to the bursty type of transmission (discontinuous), with a dynamic allocation of frequency channels. Moreover, detection is hindered by the high number of terminals, ANCOM often identifying 5-6 such interference sources per 1 km2 around a base station. Putting out of operation all the interference sources identified in an area involves access into private buildings. It is important that the citizens collaborate with ANCOM’s teams when these are handling a harmful interference case, irrespective of its nature.
Radio resources are limited, and harmful interference over this resource may affect, directly or indirectly, any citizen.
Nota bene!
Whenever buying an electronic device (DECT wireless telephone sets, audio/video baby monitors, wireless microphones, remote control toys, walkie – talkie stations, LED lighting appliances etc.), the users must verify the conformity of the respective product with the European rules, certified by the presence of the CE marking, as well as by the technical specifications in the product usage instructions. This verification is mainly necessary when the respective device has been bought from another market than the European one.
The users that own such equipment should switch them off immediately.
Applicable sanctions

 

Where those who own such equipment keep using them, the Authority may apply contravention fines based on the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 111/2011 on the general regulatory framework for communications, amounting from RON 5,000 to RON 100,000. Further information on non-conforming electronic devices and home appliances, the CE marking and the obligations incumbent on the producers, distributors and consumers are available on the Authority’s website.
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