The Wireless Telegraphy (Short Range Devices) (Exemption) Regulations 1993

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations provide for the exemption from the licensing requirements of section 1(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 of various short range devices, formerly known as low power devices. Accordingly it will not be necessary to hold a licence to establish, install and use the short range devices to which these Regulations apply. The descriptions of the short range devices which are exempt are set out in the Schedule (regulation 4).

Regulation 5 provides that, for the exemption to apply, certain requirements must be complied with. The short range device must be approved under section 84 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 and must not cause undue interference.

Regulation 6 requires that the use of the short range device must cease, or its operation must be restricted, on the demand of a person authorised in that behalf by the Secretary of State. Failure to comply with such a demand is an offence under section 3 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949.

The Regulations extend the categories of field disturbance and doppler apparatus to include teleapproach anti-theft devices (paragraph 3 of the Schedule).

The Regulations also extend the range of frequencies on which motor vehicle radio keys may operate (paragraph 10 of the Schedule).

These Regulations revoke and replace the Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Low Power Devices) (Exemption) Regulations 1989 (S.I. 1989/604), the Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Low Power Devices) (Exemption) Regulations 1991 (S.I. 1991/1523) and the Wireless Telegraphy Apparatus (Low Power Devices) (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/484) (regulation 2).

In addition to the requirements set out in regulation 5 short range devices will from 1st January 1996 have to comply with the type approval requirements set out in Part VI of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/2372) before being supplied or taken into service.