Digital TV power line users face prosecution from Ofcom for causing radio interferenceOfcom is seeking powers to prosecute users of digital TV power line adapters who cause interference to DAB radio signals and the signals used by the emergency services. There is also speculation that spying agency GCHQ is unhappy that power line data connectivity can not be hacked, unlike wifi or wire line connectivity.
Ofcom is concerned that power line adapters, which allow consumers to use their mains wiring to transmit data, are causing interference to neighbours' services and radio services used by the authorities. Power lines are an alternative to wifi connectivity, and hundreds of thousands of power line adapters have been distributed to BT and TalkTalk customers to connect their television set-top boxes to broadband lines.
If the broadband connection is in one part of the house and the TV and set-top box is too far away to physically connect using a wire, the power-line adapters are usually distributed free to subscribers of the TV service, such as BT Vision.
Ofcom has just published a consultation that quickly ends next month, proposing that it should be able to fine power line adapter users up to £5,000 if they cause interference to others' radio services. Such a threat will not go down well with TV subscribers who are simply using the equipment given to them by their service provider. Prosecutions will happen if users do not comply with enforcement notices demanding they stop using devices that are causing interference.
Ofcom said it received 114 complaints of electromagnetic interference last year, but said it had powers to resolve only three of the complaints, which is why it wants the new powers.
My Humax Forum » Miscellaneous » Broadcast, Internet, Media
Powerline adapters: Ofcom seeks prosecution powers
(4 posts)-
| Mon 12 Jan 2015 20:42:52 #1 |
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I think it's been blown out of proportion by the press.
Last statement (about 12 months old) from Ofcom
Current statistics on PLT complaints
Ofcom has maintained statistics on PLT since July 2008. As of December 2013 there have been a total of 289 reports of interference attributed to PLT. Every report of interference concerns an inability to receive a transmission on the shortwave band and is made by amateur radio users.
Complaints of PLT interference have shown considerable decline. Since January 2012, 2 complaints have been identified as PLT related (compared with 287 between July 2008 to December 2011). This is against an increased take-up of the technology.
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/enforcement/spectrum-enforcement/plt/
And from the consultancy document itself
the requirement only restricts the intensity of the electromagnetic energy to a
level consistent with the maximum intensity of electromagnetic energy which was
permissible at the time when the apparatus was put into service or made
available on the market;| Tue 13 Jan 2015 11:13:39 #2 | -
I think it's been blown out of proportion by the press.
Last statement (about 12 months old) from Ofcom
Current statistics on PLT complaints
Ofcom has maintained statistics on PLT since July 2008. As of December 2013 there have been a total of 289 reports of interference attributed to PLT. Every report of interference concerns an inability to receive a transmission on the shortwave band and is made by amateur radio users.
Complaints of PLT interference have shown considerable decline. Since January 2012, 2 complaints have been identified as PLT related (compared with 287 between July 2008 to December 2011). This is against an increased take-up of the technology.
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/enforcement/spectrum-enforcement/plt/
And from the consultancy document itself
the requirement only restricts the intensity of the electromagnetic energy to a
level consistent with the maximum intensity of electromagnetic energy which was
permissible at the time when the apparatus was put into service or made
available on the market;| Tue 13 Jan 2015 11:14:42 #3 | -
Interference doesn't have to be a significant problem for it to be used as a reason for discouraging the use of PLAs. Most of the reports I've seen mention the rumoured concerns of GCHQ. It's not just speculation in the technical press.
But I agree the press are over-egging the danger of innocent BT/TalkTalk customers getting prosecuted.
| Tue 13 Jan 2015 11:37:56 #4 |
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