Interference complaints over the last five years - December 2012
Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2015 9:32 pm
Thank you for your request for information regarding pirate broadcasts and
interference with emergency networks which we received on 27 November 2012 and have
considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘the Act’).
It is important to stress that Illegal Broadcast (‘IB’) transmitter installations do not operate
under the terms and conditions of a licence. .
The radio transmitters used by IB broadcasters are not compliant with the Radio Equipment
and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations (derived from the similarly named
EU Directive). In addition radio transmitters have to meet the requirements for electrical and
other safety aspects.
1) How many reports of radio interference have Ofcom received by the emergency services,
or Airwave, in the last 5 years which was credited to "Pirate" radio broadcasts.
Non Airwave:
2008 - 9
2009 - 4
2010 - 0
2011 - 1
2012 - 1
Airwave/Tetra:
2008 - 0
2009 - 0
2010 - 0
2011 - 5
2012 - 1
2) Could you please provide me with or cite any studies or other references that Ofcom uses
to form its opinion that "Pirate" radio stations operating on the FM band interfere with the
emergency services radio network
Illegal broadcasters intend to broadcast within the FM waveband but often the equipment
used malfunctions or is not properly installed and produces spurious emissions into other
wavebands.
Ofcom receives reports of this interference direct from the emergency services (and other
critical services such as National Air Traffic control) and each case is investigated by
engineers to establish the cause. Where the cause is found to be Illegal broadcasting,
enforcement action is taken to remove the source of interference to resolve the issue – as
was the case in the complaints highlighted above.
Further information on illegal broadcasting can be found on our website:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market ... adcasting/
3) How many "Pirate" radio operators were prosecuted in the year 2010-2011 where
interfering with the emergency services radio network was used as part of the prosecutions
evidence / cause of action.
None
interference with emergency networks which we received on 27 November 2012 and have
considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘the Act’).
It is important to stress that Illegal Broadcast (‘IB’) transmitter installations do not operate
under the terms and conditions of a licence. .
The radio transmitters used by IB broadcasters are not compliant with the Radio Equipment
and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations (derived from the similarly named
EU Directive). In addition radio transmitters have to meet the requirements for electrical and
other safety aspects.
1) How many reports of radio interference have Ofcom received by the emergency services,
or Airwave, in the last 5 years which was credited to "Pirate" radio broadcasts.
Non Airwave:
2008 - 9
2009 - 4
2010 - 0
2011 - 1
2012 - 1
Airwave/Tetra:
2008 - 0
2009 - 0
2010 - 0
2011 - 5
2012 - 1
2) Could you please provide me with or cite any studies or other references that Ofcom uses
to form its opinion that "Pirate" radio stations operating on the FM band interfere with the
emergency services radio network
Illegal broadcasters intend to broadcast within the FM waveband but often the equipment
used malfunctions or is not properly installed and produces spurious emissions into other
wavebands.
Ofcom receives reports of this interference direct from the emergency services (and other
critical services such as National Air Traffic control) and each case is investigated by
engineers to establish the cause. Where the cause is found to be Illegal broadcasting,
enforcement action is taken to remove the source of interference to resolve the issue – as
was the case in the complaints highlighted above.
Further information on illegal broadcasting can be found on our website:
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market ... adcasting/
3) How many "Pirate" radio operators were prosecuted in the year 2010-2011 where
interfering with the emergency services radio network was used as part of the prosecutions
evidence / cause of action.
None