Radio equipment exempted from licensing - LVR 1/2006

1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE MOST IMPORTANT REGULATIONS CONCERNING RADIO EQUIPMENT
3. ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING RADIO EQUIPMENT
3.1 Licence for a radio transmitter
3.2 Conformity with requirements
3.3 Marking of radio transmitters
3.3.1 Marking according to the R&TTE Directive
Markings that will be obsolete:
- Marking according to the Directive on telecommunications terminal equipment
- The R approval marking of the CEPT
- The TAC approval mark
3.4 Confidentiality of radiocommunications
3.5 Secrecy of telecommunications
3.6 Distress calls
3.7 Intentional interference
3.8 Interference
3.9 Connection to the public telecommunications network
3.10 LA telephones, PR 27 telephones and CB telephones
3.11 Use abroad of radio telephones exempted from licensing
ATTACHMENT Regulation on collective frequencies for radio transmitters exempted from licensing and on their use (FICORA 15) issued by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority).

LVR 1/2006 replaces the earlier booklet (LVR 1/2004).

1. INTRODUCTION

Some radio transmitters are exempted from licensing on the basis of Section 7, paragraph 2 of the Radio Act.

Transmitters whose compliance with requirements has been attested as stipulated in the Act on Radio Frequencies and Telecommunications Equipment are exempted from licensing. These transmitters shall operate on the frequencies mentioned in the accompanying FICORA Regulation on collective frequencies for radio transmitters exempted from licensing and on their use (FICORA 15).

This booklet contains the most important information in the statutes governing the possession and use of radio transmitters exempted from licensing.

2. THE MOST IMPORTANT REGULATIONS CONCERNING RADIO EQUIPMENT

Act on Radio Frequencies and Telecommunications Equipment (1015/2001)

The Act on Radio Frequencies and Telecommunications Equipment contains stipulations on radio equipment, its possession and use as well as on protection of radiocommunications against interference.

Statute of the Ministry of Transport and Communications on the Fees of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (1126/2002)
This Statute contains stipulations on the fees to be charged by the agency.

Regulations issued by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority

on collective frequencies for radio transmitters exempted from licensing and on their use (FICORA 15)
on the conformity assessment and marking of radio equipment (FICORA 1).
The Act on Radio Frequencies and Telecommunications Equipment t as well as the Regulations and booklets issued by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority can be obtained from the Customer Service Office of FICORA, or from the Internet pages of the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority at http://www.ficora.fi/.

3. ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING RADIO EQUIPMENT

3.1 Licence for a radio transmitter

A licence is needed for the possession and use of other radio transmitters than those referred to in FICORA Regulation 15.

Inspectors appointed by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority supervise radio equipment and the compliance with regulations. They also clarify radio interference cases. The inspectors are authorised by FICORA and carry an authorisation certificate with a photograph.

3.2 Conformity with requirements

A radio transmitter may not be used for radiocommunication, imported for purposes of sale nor offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred to another until it has been ensured that it meets the requirements.

3.3 Marking of radio transmitters

All radio transmitters that can be possessed and used without a licence must either bear the marking laid down in the R&TTE Directive (1999/5/EC), or in the Directive on telecommunications terminal equipment (98/13/EC), or the CEPT R approval marking or the TAC approval mark or marking (TAC = Telecommunications Administration Centre).

3.3.1 Marking according to the R&TTE Directive

The marking consists of the obligatory CE mark some times together with the identification number of the Notified Body (the marking thus being in the form CE xxxx). The marking may furthermore contain the alert symbol , which informs of restrictions on use in some member country (the mark then being CE xxxx ). This marking is used for radio and telecommunications terminal equipment complying with the requirements of Directive 1999/5/EC.

It has been decided that from April 8, 2001 onwards all new radio and telecommunications terminal equipment shall be placed on the market according to the stipulations in 1999/5/EC. Because of this renewal the markings mentioned below will be obsolete as equipment marked in some of these ways is sold out.

Markings that will be obsolete:

Marking according to the Directive on telecommunications terminal equipment

The marking is in the form CE xxxx X, where xxxx is the identification number of the Notified Body and X the symbol showing that the equipment is suitable for connection to the public telecommunication network. This marking is used for equipment complying with the stipulations in Directive 98/13/EC, for example for some GSM telephones.

The R approval marking of the CEPT

A transmitter may, in addition to the CE marking, bear the marking Rxxxx yyy, where xxxx is the identification number of the Notified Body and yyy the mark of the type of equipment. Low power equipment may also bear a marking showing the equipment family and frequency band, for example R0523 SRD 1e or R0192 SRD 8 b. This marking is used for "ERC approved" radio transmitters.

The TAC approval mark

In addition to the CE marking, the transmitter may also bear the TAC approval mark, a "control fee sticker". The text in the approval mark is HYVÄKSYTTY, LUVATTA - GODKÄND, TILLSTÅNDSFRI (= approved, may be used without a licence). The mark also gives information on the transmitter to which it shall be fixed. The approval mark has been used for radio transmitters type-approved in Finland.

3.4 Confidentiality of radiocommunications

Radiocommunications are confidential, if not intended for the public at large.

Whoever receives a confidential transmission or is informed of a confidential transmission which is not intended for him, shall not wrongfully disclose it nor use its contents or his knowledge of its existence (Chapter 5, Section 37 paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Act on Radio Frequencies and Telecommunications Equipment ).

Information on confidential radiocommunications may be given to the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority as stipulated in Chapter 5, Section 37 paragraph 3 of the Act on Radio Frequencies and Telecommunications Equipment.

3.5 Secrecy of telecommunications

As the radio waves propagate freely, outsiders can indeed also listen to radio transmissions.

3.6 Distress calls

If a user of radio equipment receives a distress call, he shall immediately take appropriate action. He also has an obligation to send a distress call himself at the request of the authorities.

Distress communications shall have priority over other radiocommunications. It is forbidden to cause interference in distress communications or other radiocommunications.

3.7 Intentional interference

It is forbidden to cause intentional interference to radiocommunications.

3.8 Interference

General principle

If a radio transmitter causes interference in radiocommunications or in other pieces of radio equipment, the holder of the radio transmitter shall eliminate or limit the interference.

However, if the interference is a consequence of the properties of a radio receiver being disturbed (insufficient tolerance against interference), the holder of the radio receiver shall be responsible for eliminating the interference.

If both the radio equipment causing interference and the radio equipment being disturbed conform to regulations, the parties shall primarily seek consensus among themselves. If needed, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority settles the dispute.

Equipment operating on collective frequencies

Radio transmitters that are exempted from licensing use common channels with equal rights.

Consequently, the general principle above cannot be applied to a situation, where various pieces of radio equipment exempted from licensing cause interference in each other due to operating in the same channels.

Other use of the frequency bands

Some of the radio transmitters that have been exempted from licensing operate on frequencies that are used by electrical appliances (i. a. ISM equipment) as well. Radiocommunications cannot be protected against interference from these appliances. Therefore LA, PR 27 and CB radiocommunications may occasionally be disturbed by certain pieces of ISM and inductive equipment operating in the same frequency bands. Occasionally, as the propagation properties of the radio waves change, the radiotelephone traffic of foreign countries in the 27 MHz band may cause interference in this band in Finland.

3.9 Connection to the public telecommunications network

Only operational terminals complying with the requirements may be connected to the public telecommunications network.

3.10 LA telephones, PR 27 telephones and CB telephones

With an LA telephone, PR 27 telephone or CB telephone one can contact only other LA , PR 27 or CB telephones. These telephones cannot be used for calls to the public telecommunication network.

The LA telephones operate in channels 1 - 22, the PR 27 telephones and CB telephones in channels 1 - 40. The class of emission of LA telephones is AM and/or FM; the class of emission of PR 27 telephones is FM and the class of emission of CB telephones FM, AM and/or SSB.

3.11 Use abroad of radio telephones exempted from licensing

PR 27 telephones

A PR 27 telephone may be used in countries that have approved ERC's Decision on free circulation of radio equipment in CEPT member countries (CEPT/ERC/DEC(95)01). ERC’s Decision and a register of the countries that have approved the Decision can be obtained on the Internet pages of the European Radiocommunications Office (ERO) at http://www.ero.dk/.

LA and CB telephones

An LA or CB telephone may be used abroad only with permission of the telecommunications authorities of the country in question.

GSM mobile stations and satellite telephones

GSM mobile stations may be used in most of the countries that have built a mobile network. There are, however, some countries where the use of mobile stations still needs a permit. Therefore, when you plan to travel abroad you should check with a telecommunications operator, or with the local telecommunication authority, the possibility to use mobile stations or satellite telephones in the country to which you are travelling.

Additional information on the use of radio equipment in Europe can be obtained on the Internet pages of the European Radiocommunications Office (ERO) at http://www.ero.dk/.