25 November 2013
25.11.2013
The Romanian National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications (ANCOM), together with the Romanian Police, extended the traffic control actions meant to verify the drivers’ use of the mobile emission-reception stations in the so-called “citizen band”, i.e. the 27 MHz band. Thus, in the morning of 25 November, the ANCOM inspectors and the Traffic Police agents from Cluj, Prahova, Satu Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Timis and Valcea counties stopped and verified 138 vehicles equipped with such stations, in order to check the extent to which the equipment items and their holders observe the technical specifications established under the law. These control actions resulted in 15 warnings.
The mobile radiocommunication stations operating in the 27 MHz band may be used without a licence for the use of radio frequencies granted by ANCOM. However their users must observe the technical rules in force. This band is intended for communications between nearby points and ranges between 26.960 and 27.410 MHz. Yet, the use in the central frequencies 26.995 MHz, 27.045 MHz, 27.095 MHz, 27.145 MHz and 27.195 MHz is forbidden. The emission power of the equipment operating in this band is maximum 4 Watt (effectively radiated power) so as to remove the risk of producing harmful interferences in the radio spectrum. Furthermore, the equipment must be CE marked and identified by information such as the type, batch and/or serial number and the manufacturer’s or importer’s name.
In Cluj County, the representatives of the two institutions verified the mobile radiocommunication equipment installed on 18 vehicles and enforced two warnings to the drivers who were using stations with emission power exceeding the maximum 4 Watt regulated power. In Prahova County, the control staff sanctioned with a warning three drivers of the 25 that were stopped. In Satu Mare County, 17 drivers were stopped and five of them were applied warnings, while in Sibiu County one driver of the 20 verified drivers was sanctioned. Also, 15 drivers were verified and two of them received warnings in Suceava County, one of the 21 verified drivers was sanctioned in Timis County, whereas one driver of the 22 verified was sanctioned with a warning in Valcea County. The highest apparently radiated power determined following these controls exceeded 40 Watt on a station which did not have the conformity marking.
“Although the use of the 27 MHz band is licence-exempted, the drivers must understand that they are using a limited resource and its use is regulated by the law. The non-compliant equipment or its abusive use may cause interferences to other radiocommunication services in adjacent bands or can hinder the normal use of the band. For now, the Authority’s control actions have a preventive purpose, aiming at informing the users of this type of equipment and at restoring the legality of those who are using it inadequately. Nevertheless, if we see that this phenomenon develops, we will start enforcing the fines provided under the law”,the Director of the ANCOM Monitoring and Control Executive Division, Mr. Cristin POPA, said.
ANCOM will continue these control actions with the Traffic Police in several cities from the country and along the European and national roads, in order to ensure that the users of this frequency band are using it in the best conditions.
ANCOM created a dedicated section on its website, where the interested parties can find out all the information they need concerning the use of the 27 MHz band and of the emission – reception stations pursuant to the legislation in force.