We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to immediately ban power line adaptors of the type currently supplied by BT.”
Details of Petition:
“These units are used to establish a network within the home, TV and data signals are passed between the adaptors by means of radio frequency energy directly into the mains wiring of that home. The frequency used is 3-30 MHz. The resulting interference extends many 100’s of feet from the household using them. This prevents users of the short wave radio spectrum from being able to use their radios. World broadcast stations and many other services are blocked out by the interference. We feel this is an assault on our human rights and freedom, preventing us from hearing world band radio. It is also very dangerous as many safety, military, aviation and shipping services will also suffer! Look on You Tube for powerline adaptors. Current EMC regulations say: the electromagnetic disturbance generated should not exceed a level above which radio and telecommunications equipment or other equipment cannot operate as intended. Clearly these units do not comply and we want them banned and strong regulations put in place to prevent such technologies from being approved for use within the UK in the future. UKQRM on Yahoo groups.”
· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage
Read the Government’s response
Thank you for the E-petition demanding a ban on powerline adaptors like the ones currently supplied by BT.
As with all electrical and electronic products sold in the UK, Power Line Technology (PLT) equipment is required to meet the relevant regulations before it can be placed on the market. In particular, it must comply with the Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2006 (the EMC Regulations) which are based on a European Directive, and any person who places such products on the market (usually the manufacturer or the importer) must ensure that the products comply and apply the ‘CE’ mark.
The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) is responsible for the EMC Regulations. Enforcement powers are delegated to local Trading Standards offices, and to Ofcom where there is a radio spectrum protection or management issue. Ofcom estimates there are around 500,000 pieces of PLT equipment in use in the UK. Ofcom have received around 84 individual complaints of interference attributed to PLT equipment. All of these complaints are in the process of being investigated or have been successfully resolved. Each complaint is investigated on its own merits. We do not believe an outright ban of all powerline adaptors is justified.
It is often the case that electrical equipment that is used in the home has to comply with the EMC regulations. Some of this equipment has the capacity to cause interference to other radio communications equipment in certain circumstances; this can be due to the manner in which it is installed or operated.
Ofcom can provide advice and assistance to those who complain of interference with radio communications equipment. Any individuals who wish to report specific cases of interference that may be caused by PLT apparatus, or any other source, should contact Ofcom’s Advisory Team on 0300 123 3333 for further assistance.
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