UK regulator Ofcom has announced changes to the technical requirements for the use of in-vehicle mobile phone repeaters. The action is designed to improve mobile reception without causing undue interference, and comes after Ofcom introduced regulations to allow the use of specific types of mobile repeaters without a licence.
These new technical specifications support increases to the maximum system gain permitted for repeaters in vehicles from 21 dB to 36 dB in relevant frequency bands above 1 GHz; increasing maximum gain from 15 dB to 30 dB in frequency bands below 1 GHz; and extending the range of available frequencies for in-vehicle repeaters by adding the 2.6 GHz FDD band to the list of licence-exempt frequency bands.
The changes have been implemented by amending the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Repeater) (Exemption) Regulations 2018, and will come into force from 27 January 2020.