Ofcom Updates Rules Relating To Mobile Signal Boosting
What are the new Ofcom rules surrounding mobile signal boosting?
Ofcom have recently introduced new changes to help expand the range of licence exempt mobile phone repeaters for consumers.
Mobile phone repeaters can be used to improve mobile signal within buildings providing they don’t cause undue interference and follow Ofcom’s requirements. These devices boost the signal between a mobile operator’s base station and a mobile phone being used indoors.
The new guidelines came into force on 16th June 2022.
Since 2018 Ofcom’s guidelines required repeaters to operate within the frequency bands of a single licensed network at any given time.
Ofcom have changed their requirements to allow an increase in the range of devices you can buy and use legally as per The Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Repeater) (Exemption) Regulations 2022.
These regulations were made on 26th May 2022 and came into force on 16th June 2022.
The new rules allow provider-specific and multi-operator repeaters to boost the signal of more than one mobile operator at a time.
The new regulations do the following:
Extend the licence exemption criteria to cover devices that operate on the frequencies of more than one mobile operator. In particular, they allow for the use of ‘provider-specific’ and ‘multi operator’ repeaters, provided that they meet certain technical requirements; and
Permit the licence-exempt use of static indoor mobile repeater devices which amplify signals other than those carried on 2G, 3G and 4G networks (including, for example, 5G signals).
So how do I know which booster is Ofcom approved?
To avoid confusion, Ofcom will publish a list of repeaters that comply with the technical requirements of their guidelines. This is to help consumers identify boosters that can be used legally without a licence. BUT, Ofcom has made it clear that they will not be endorsing any specific repeaters… ‘To be clear, Ofcom will not endorse or approve particular products. Instead, the list will simply identify devices that have been subjected to testing by an accredited test house to show they meet our technical requirements, using a voluntary testing standard produced by Ofcom.’
What do these changes mean for me if I have a mobile signal problem?
These changes only further help the consumer struggling to get a stable signal. In years previous, manufacturers have used misleading labels which fooled consumers into believing they were using an approved product.
Now consumers will have the help of Ofcom and can check the list of repeaters that have been tested by an accredited test house (which will be published on Ofcom’s website later this year).
In the meantime you can speak to a Signal Solutions professional about an Amplifi-Qx signal solution!
Every Amplifi-Qx solution that we design and install uses CEL-Fi by Nextivity technology. Nextivity products are Ofcom compliant and unconditionally network safe.
Since day one we have been proud to tell our customers that all of our products and services follow Ofcom’s rules and regulations on mobile signal boosting.