Short range FM transmitter devices legalised in Ireland

[BGonaSTICK]

Following in the steps of the UK’s communications industry regulator Ofcom, Irish regulator ComReg has given announced that low power, such as iTrip-type devices can now be used in Ireland, subject to certain conditions. These devices may be used to wirelessly connect personal audio devices, such as MP3 players, to car radios. There is expected to be high consumer demand for these types of devices and ComReg’s enabling provision will facilitate the use of these devices in Ireland.

This measure is one of a number of “interface requirements” contained in ComReg document 06/47R which paves the way for a range of radio applications including for example Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) devices in the 865 - 868 MHz band and new wireless services in the 1785 – 1805 MHz band to be licensed under the co-ordinated ComReg/Ofcom licensing scheme in 2007.

The use of RFID applications is expected to increase significantly over the next few years as, for example, retailers such as supermarkets and their suppliers implement the technology in place of bar codes for automated stock control. The co-ordinated award of spectrum at 1785 – 1805 MHz in Ireland and Northern Ireland marks a new milestone in co-operation between ComReg and the Office of Communications (Ofcom) in the UK.

The award of licences in Ireland and Northern Ireland is an innovative approach to optimising the use of the radio spectrum for the benefit of consumers across the island of Ireland. ComReg’s interface requirements for spectrum access in the 1785 – 1805 MHz band will permit the use of that radio spectrum on a service-neutral and technology-neutral basis.

Source: ComReg