iPod FM/ low power FM/ Ofcom

Are they legal to sell?
No.

Are they legal to use?
No.

................................


OFCOM
iTrips, Car Baby’s and similar FM radio devices:FAQs




1. What do these devices do?

These devices are intended to link the output of an iPod, personal stereo or mobile phone to a car radio or domestic FM radio. They are in effect a miniature radio transmitter.
2. How far can they broadcast a signal?

Although they operate at a low power level, typically microwatts, they can transmit a signal a fair distance - up to about 30 feet from the transmitter
3. Are they legal to sell?

No. Radio transmitting equipment has to be compliant to the requirements of the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 (as amended).

A manufacturer must demonstrate that the equipment is safe and that it does not cause harmful interference. If successful, the CE mark is then affixed and the equipment can then be sold or put into service throughout the EU. It may not be sold or taken into service otherwise. Placing non-compliant equipment on the market is an offence. On conviction this can carry a fine of up to £5,000 and/or up to 3 months imprisonment plus forfeiture of the equipment.

None of the iTrips or similar devices we have seen are CE marked. While we have not yet prosecuted iTrip dealers, we have done so for dealers of similar devices and have had stocks ordered forfeit by the courts. There is similar concern about non-compliance and illegal use throughout Europe .

The FCC (USA) marking on some of these devices has no validity in the EU.
4. Are they legal to use?

No. The FM broadcast band (87.5 – 108 MHz) is used in the UK – and other European countries – for authorised, licensed broadcasting stations. There is presently no provision to licence iTrips or similar devices in the FM broadcast band. Anyone else transmitting in this band without a licence is committing an offence under section 1(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.

Devices transmitting in the broadcast band have the potential to cause interference to people trying to listen to licensed stations, even when transmitting at low power. For example, a short range FM transmitter in a car could cause interference to those listening to broadcasts nearby.

To date we have not prosecuted individual users. We recommend users stop using the device.
5. Will such devices always be illegal?

We are working with European standardisation bodies and European administrations to see if there is a way that low power devices operating in the FM band can be made legal by producing a European standard. It might be that individual users would not need a licence to transmit in the FM band.

Work on producing a standard is progressing, but it is expected that the use of current devices would not be authorised. Any device to successfully obtain the CE-mark would most likely be designed to a higher technical standard than those presently available.

+ Source: Ofcom website here


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++ Related:

freepress.net
Support Low Power FM Radio!

Low Power FM radio stations are noncommercial, community driven and locally oriented, providing news and information to communities often ignored by mainstream radio. Low power FM was established by the FCC in 2000 to �create opportunities for new voices on the airwaves� and to support programming �responsive to local community needs and interests.�

But Low Power FM needs your support, both at the FCC and in Congress. The current rules deprive communities across the country from access to local radio. The FCC is now considering these original rules and in order to make good decisions, they need to hear from you. **The comment period officially closed on August 22, but your comments would still be useful.

What is Low-Power FM (LPFM) radio? Why is it important?

Low-Power FM radio, or LPFM for short, refers to 10 to 100 watt, nonprofit radio stations with a reach of only a few miles. Because LPFM stations are noncommercial and reach a small broadcast area, they hold great promise to offer truly community-driven and locally-oriented programming. LPFM stations add diversity to the airwaves and allow for a greater range of debate and local programming than corporate radio can offer.

+ Source here
+ Further: FreePress, Low Power FM Issues here

Ipod accessory uk
[nd]

Ipod accessory uk: Hottest gadget for iPod has a design flaw - it's illegal

THE MUST-HAVE gadget for this Christmas has been called the "coolest iPodaccessory in the world", is readily available on the Weband the high street and 10,000 have already been sold in the UK. The only problem is, it is illegal.

The iTrip attaches to Apple's best-selling music player and allows its songs to be broadcast through FM radios. It contravenes the 55- year- old Wireless TelegraphyAct and the regulator Ofcom has pointed out that anyone using it faces two years in prison or a hefty fine.

Don Foster, the LiberalDemocrat culture, media and sport spokesman, called for the legislation to be overturned. "With a booming UK black market already, Ofcom needs to finda workable solution," he said.

But an Ofcom spokesman said: "Basically, it's a miniature pirate radio station. If a next-door neighbour complains that the iTrip is interfering with Radio 4 we would be duty-bound to act."

+ Source here



iLounge’s Fall 2005 FM Transmitter Shootout
engadget.com | Posted Aug 26, 2005, 12:55 PM ET by Peter Rojas

There are probably way more iPod FM transmitter accessories out there than there needs to be, but iLounge has a good roundup comparing six car units (Belkin’s TuneBase FM, DLO’s TransPod FM, Griffin’s RoadTrip [pictured at right], Kensington’s Digital FM Transmitter, Newer Technology’s RoadTrip! Plus and RoadTrip! 87.9FM) and six fully portable units (Belkin’s TuneCast II, BTI’s TuneStir, Griffin’s iTrip and iTrip LCD, Tekkeon’s MyPower FM, and XtremeMac’s AirPlay). Their picks for the best of the bunch? Kensington’s Digital FM Transmitter and NewerTechnology’s RoadTrip! Plus.

Source here


The Register
UK wireless watchdog to 'open' 72% of public spectrum
By Tony Smith
Published Wednesday 24th November 2004 13:44 GMT

(...)

However, the new framework is unlikely to see devices such as Griffin Technology's iTrip become legal in the UK. The transmitter, designed to beam songs played on an iPod to nearby FM radios, is currently illegal to use in the UK, since it can potentially broadcast on channels licensed by Ofcom under the terms of the 1949 Wireless Telegraphy Act for licensees exclusive use. That exclusivity is currently maintained irrespective of the relative output of radio station transmitters and the puny (by comparison) iTrip. ®

Source here

The Register
UK ‘bans’ iPod radio add-on
By Tony Smith
Published Thursday 31st July 2003 12:40 GMT

Griffin Technologies' iTrip iPod add-on is illegal in the UK, British distributor A M Micro has said.

The iTrip connects to an iPod and transmits songs by FM radio to any radio receiver in the vicinity. While its operation in the US is permitted by the Federal Communications Commission, over here the device contravenes the UK Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949.

Unlike the 2.4GHz band in which 802.11b Wi-Fi operates, or 802.11a's 5HGz band, for example, the 87.7-107.9MHz band used by the iTrip is not licence-exempt spectrum, according to the WTA. As such broadcasters hoping to use that part of the spectrum need the permission of the UK's Radio Agency.

The rules state that UK broadcasters have unique access to the frequencies they have licensed, and that, say the RA, means the iTrip can't transmit on frequencies already taken in the FM band. A M Micro can't license a section of the band and dedicate it to iTrip users because all the available FM frequencies have already been licensed.

Cost isn't an issue - it's only £339 ($548) a year for VHF stations with under 100,000 listeners. That said, anyone using the iTrip would also need to cough up £500 ($808) a year to the Performing Rights Society to cover royalty payments to artists whose music is broadcast.

Of course, the iTrip broadcasts at very low power - the device itself draws all the power it needs from the iPod itself - but it's still enough to intrude on a broadcaster's licensed frequency, potentially interfering with listeners who have tuned into a specific station.

The bottom line, says A M Micro, is that using iTrip is an offence akin to operating a pirate radio station. If caught, the user faces prosecution, as does the dealer for selling him or her their iTrip. Not surprisingly, A M Micro wants to avoid that. ®

Source here



iPod is favourite stocking thriller as internet shopping finally booms
Gadget is the height of fashion for Pod people
Robin McKie and Ben Wilson
Sunday December 14, 2003
The Observer

'It is astonishing the way electronic goods are now being bought not at high street stores but on the internet, and of all the items being purchased this Christmas the iPod is by far the most popular,' said James Roper, chief executive of IMRG, the electronic trade body. 'Its sales are absolutely amazing.'
(...)

The internet shopping revolution has been promised for many years, but now figures are beginning to back expectations, say City analysts. A new breed of Christmas consumer is being created: carefree individuals who pass through throngs of shoppers with calm, relaxed smiles, people who exude an air of smugness after having given up the hell of the festive high street for the calm of the world wide web.

(...)


It is great news for the electronics industry which, intriguingly, can congratulate itself for much of the new impetus to internet shopping. New broadband services - extremely fast internet connections in homes and offices - that have been introduced throughout the country are reckoned to be a critical factor.

'Every week, 48,000 new households are taking up broadband services,' said Matt Peacock from Ofcom, the new telecommunications watchdog. 'Broadband dramatically changes the way people use the web. Having constant access helps people overcome their natural caution when first getting online.'

The end result has been a consumer revolution, as Toby Clarke, marketing officer for Britart.com, an online art retailer, acknowledges. 'In 1999 there were huge numbers of people visiting sites, but no one was making any transactions. Fast forward three years and people are now willing to spend up to £3,000 with the click of a mouse button."

Source here




Wireless London: workshop

These are rough notes of a session at http://dek.spc.org Tuesday 14th June 2005 where a group got together to present projects that they were doing and in particular to discuss alexei's work on the Asus Wl-hdd and how that fits in with the second generation of community wireless activity and location based services.

Here