Mobile Phone Repeaters to be Legalised

The Cush

The recently published Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce indicates the use of mobile phone repeaters are to legalised in 2017. Comreg will commence work on the scheme in Q2, 2017.

ComReg will develop a licensing scheme allowing for the use of mobile phone repeaters. This will allow householders and businesses to boost the signals into their premises, through the use of repeaters on the building.

The Taskforce recognised early on that there is a requirement to consider the use of mobile phone repeaters, mainly in rural areas, to enhance signal quality. The Taskforce explored this issue in some detail and it became apparent that there were very few solutions open to consumers to overcome the problem of poor indoor signal quality. The conclusion reached was that there is a clear need for a transparent regime that would allow for the orderly installation of suitable mobile phone repeaters which would go some way towards addressing the problem of indoor coverage issues. The repeaters should be to a recognised standard which does not interfere with other wireless infrastructure locally.

ComReg should develop a licensing scheme allowing the use of accredited mobile phone repeaters to help address the issue of indoor coverage, particularly in rural areas.

The issue was raised last Jan at an Oireachtas Committee discussion with Comreg

p.13 Mr.Jeremy Godfrey: We do not have evidence that there is a difference in signal strength. We have evidence that there is a difference in the performance of phones. We also have evidence that the technology people are using in their homes may also be making it harder for the signal to penetrate. Some operators offer boosters and other devices for within-home coverage. Under the spectrum strategy we published recently, we will also consider whether we can do things to extend the use of those boosters.

p.14 Mr.Jeremy Godfrey: ... We will consider the licensing of amplifiers to enable individuals, through their mobile operators, to improve the coverage within their homes.

http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/WebAttachments.nsf/($vLookupByConstructedKey)/committees~20160127~TRJ/$File/Daily%20Book%20Revised.pdf?openelement

Thie issue was raised again in Comreg's Radio Spectrum Management Strategy 2016 - 2018

p.30 4.30 Given the variety of potential factors, ComReg notes there may be various ways of addressing this matter including:

the use of mobile repeaters to address indoor reception issues, noting that such repeaters would have to be CE-certified and be authorised (via a licence or a licence-emption) to use the radio frequencies; and

the ability to use fixed broadband connections (e.g. native Wi-Fi calling) for the provision of mobile services (both voice and data) to address indoor reception issues

http://www.comreg.ie/publication/radio-spectrum-management-strategy-2016-2018-brochure/

ED E

I'd very much prefer to see COMREG apply a mandatory RAP to the MNOs and make them offer them rather than regulate privately purchased ones then try and enforce end user compliance.

The other possibility is this becomes a money making exercise. COMREG love to charge 100x what OFCOM do for a rubber stamp.

_Kaiser_

It's nice to see them doing something about it though. In my current apartment (nothing fancy.. one of the celtic tiger era builds with paper thin interior walls - which you'd think might help!) the 3 signal varies from 2 bars of 4G to 2G to no signal depending on which end of it I'm in. The other networks aren't much better. If I go outside though it's fine!

But when I tried out Vodafone at least I could use one of their Suresignal devices which works via my eir fibre. Why 3 Ireland don't have something similar is beyond me - especially as most of the poor signal complaints seem to be on their network, or from MVNOs piggy-backing on it.

ED E

If you drill the plasterboard Kaiser I would presume you'd find foil backing on the far side. You live in a Faraday Cage.

The Cush

Comreg's Work Plan to end Jun 2018

- Develop Authorisation Regime for Mobile Repeaters

Consult on and develop an authorisation regime for the use of mobile repeaters by commercial and private users (Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Report, action no. 37).

Consultation & Draft Decision (Q3 2017)
Response to Consultation & Decision (Q2 2018)

The matter of indoor coverage is one regularly raised but represents an area in which there is a relative dearth of research and solutions. To better inform the debate in this area ComReg has taken the decision to conduct extensive research into commonly used building materials for domestic dwellings. It is strongly suspected that the levels of insulation currently used in houses is a significant impediment to indoor coverage; as heat and radio signals are part of the same electromagnetic spectrum, keeping heat in by default keeps radio signals out. ComReg has identified two potential solutions; native Wi-Fi calling and the use of high standard repeaters. Native Wi-Fi calling is for the Mobile Network Operators to implement. To facilitate the use of repeaters by the general public, ComReg is conducting background research on the feasibility of the introduction of mobile phone repeaters that are beyond network control. In parallel, work is also ongoing on the preparation of project and consultation documents.

ComReg will complete the feasibility research and publish a consultation document in Q3 2017 with Final Decision expected in Q2 2018.

The Cush

Ofcom to legalise the use of static indoor and low gain mobile phone repeaters

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-2/mobile-phone-repeaters?utm_source=updates&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=repeaters

In a statement published Tuesday, Ofcom set out its decision to make regulations that will allow consumers to operate two categories of mobile phone repeaters on a licence-exempt basis i.e. with no need for a licence:

1. static mobile phone repeaters for indoor use; and
2. low gain mobile phone repeaters for in-vehicle use

The statement sets out the technical requirements that need to be met for mobile phone repeaters to be lawfully used by consumers on a licence exempt basis whilst ensuring they are not likely to be a source of undue interference or have an adverse effect on technical quality of service. This relates specifically to static mobile phone repeaters for indoor use; and low gain mobile phone repeaters for in-vehicle use."

The licence exemption regulations will come into force in early 2018, the draft interface requirement is currently going through the European Union notification process. Until that time, the use of mobile phone repeaters remains unlawful and those that do not meet the technical requirements after that point will also continue to be illegal to use.

The Cush

Ofcom are currently consulting on the regulations that will legalise mobile repeaters.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-3/regulations-short-range-devices-mobile-repeaters

babelfish1990

Mobile Spectrum is a precious resource and should be conserved for use when there is no alternative (ie outdoors, on the move).

WiFi should be used indoors for data and WiFi Calling.

corsav6

babelfish1990 wrote: »

Mobile Spectrum is a precious resource and should be conserved for use when there is no alternative (ie outdoors, on the move).

WiFi should be used indoors for data and WiFi Calling.

That's assuming a person has decent broadband, which in rural Ireland is rare.

babelfish1990

Mobile repeaters do not solve that problem.

If outdoor mobile coverage is sufficiently strong to support a repeater, then it is also strong enough to support a WiFi router indoors, without the need for a repeater. If the signal is weak, an external antenna may be required, but this would also be required by a repeater.

If repeaters are legalised, it will be impossible to prevent their use in urban areas, where they cause havoc for othet mobile users. Better to keep them illegal.

ED E

If customs were 100% effective maybe. But they arent so they're being used as is but totally unregulated. Better to have proper comms vendor made ones that have been certified rather than a knock off blasting out the full 1700-2000Mhz band.

babelfish1990

Even if they were legal, all the boosters in the world won't fix a network that is congested. ID uses the Three network which is hopelessly congested in many areas. Change to a network that doesnt use Three. Even if it costs a little more, it will be worth it to get reliable service. If you are out of contract and in a position to bundle Broadband and mobile there are bundles that save vs buying mobile separately.

ED E

babelfish1990 wrote: »

Even if they were legal, all the boosters in the world won't fix a network that is congested. ID uses the Three network which is hopelessly congested in many areas. Change to a network that doesnt use Three. Even if it costs a little more, it will be worth it to get reliable service. If you are out of contract and in a position to bundle Broadband and mobile there are bundles that save vs buying mobile separately.

Three is only congested because the Irish are tightfisted*. When given the choice between Expensive but rock solid with Vodafone, Middle of the Road Meteor and Cheapo Three / FarTooLittleMoneyToManage Tesco they all chose the latter options.

Now Vodafone have started allowing up to 250GB/mo which is just going to slow them right down. And if Comreg chose to go geographic instead of population we're all effed.

*Irish born and bread, so dont start! Also a 3 customer.

The Cush

Comreg has published it consultation on the legal use of Mobile Phone Repeaters

Option 3 – Permit the licence exempt use of repeaters for consumers on all Mobile Operators’ networks (‘Multi-operator Repeaters’)

ComReg's Preferred Option

90. The above assessment has considered the impact of the various options from the perspective of industry stakeholders, as well as the impact on competition and consumers. For the reasons identified above, ComReg considers that, on balance, Option 3 would be the more appropriate regulatory option to adopt in the context of the RIA analytical framework.

91. In particular, ComReg is of the preliminary view that Option 3 would be justified, reasonable and proportionate, because, amongst other things Option 3:

• provides households/premises with a mobile connectivity solution that benefits the greatest number of consumers by authorising repeaters across all networks, and is more efficient for consumers as there is no need to buy more than one device per household;
  
• protects Mobile Operators existing and future efficient investments by mitigating the risks of interference associated with the use of unauthorised repeaters/boosters and also positively impacts on user perceptions of the MNO networks by eliminating issues that had been previously and erroneously associated with them;
  
• would accord with ComReg’s statutory objective of encouraging the efficient use and ensuring the effective management of spectrum by allowing the radio spectrum to be used in a manner that provides connectivity solutions to consumers while protecting against undue interference;
  
• would protect all operators from network interference and provides equal benefits in terms of improved connectivity for consumers;
  
• would accord with the principle of safeguarding competition to the benefit of consumers and promoting, where appropriate, infrastructure based competition; and
  
• would appear to be least onerous means by which the policy issues and objectives as stated could be achieved.

The consultation runs until Friday 19th January 2018

https://www.comreg.ie/publication/mobile-phone-repeaters-consultation/

ED E

Good stuff, assuming your neighbour doesnt run a pile of garbage.


BTW, why are we still running two threads? Surely use one and just link from t'other.

The Cush

ED E wrote: »

BTW, why are we still running two threads? Surely use one and just link from t'other.

Good idea, more related to mobile than broadband.

The Cush

Stelladoradus, a mobile phone repeater manufacturer based in Co. Waterford appears to be getting ready to sell their products here once the necessary regulations are in place.

They are now showing the Irish mobile networks' logos on the product pages but Ireland is missing from the calculate shipping drop-down list. Still illegal to use them here.

The Cush

Update from the Dept of Communications at the end of Nov, before the publication of the Comreg's consultation on the legal use of Mobile Phone Repeaters

Indoor coverage is regularly raised as an issue impacting many rural households. However, there is a relative dearth of research and solutions. As a result, ComReg has taken the decision to conduct extensive research into commonly used building materials for domestic dwellings. It is strongly suspected that the levels of insulation currently used in houses is a significant impediment to indoor coverage; as heat and radio signals are part of the same electromagnetic spectrum (keeping heat in by default keeps radio signals out). ComReg has identified two potential solutions; native Wi-Fi calling and the use of high standard repeaters. Native Wi-Fi calling is for the Mobile Network Operators to implement (some operators have already introduced this service to their customers and others are currently looking at it). To facilitate the use of repeaters by the general public, ComReg is conducting background research on the feasibility of the introduction of mobile phone repeaters that are beyond network control. In parallel, work is also ongoing on the preparation of project and consultation documents.

Next Steps: ComReg will complete the feasibility research and publish a consultation document in Q4 2017 with Final Decision expected in Q2 2018.

The Cush

Came across this comment from Ferd Browne, an electronic design engineer working for Stelladoradus, to a news story published on ispreview.co.uk following the publication of Ofcom's statement on legalising mobile repeaters in the UK.



Also from their website blog - http://www.stelladoradus.com/ofcoms-new-specification-for-mobile-signal-repeaters-in-the-uk/

This from Ofcom's statement

By way of a summary here, our technical requirements contain three mechanisms which have the effect of limiting the number of mobile phone repeaters which will be amplifying an individual carrier in a sector at any one time:

No wideband amplification permitted

Mobile phone repeaters cannot amplify all the carriers in a band but must amplify each carrier separately, applying the gain control equation to each carrier separately.

No amplification of multiple MNO carriers

Mobile phone repeaters can only amplify the carriers of a single MNO at any one time which the user selects during setup.

Repeaters must go into standby after 5 minutes

The repeater will go into standby mode when not used for 5 minutes and so is not active when it is not needed. For example, the repeater will go into standby mode when all the members of a household have left with their mobile devices.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/107254/Repeaters-Statement-2017.pdf

Meanwhile, Comreg in its consultation, the preferred option is to permit the licence exempt use of repeaters for consumers on all Mobile Operators’ networks (‘Multi-operator Repeaters’) - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=105527657#post105527657

ComReg proposes no restrictions on the number of operators the device may amplify as this is unlikely to add any protection to existing users above and beyond that already provided by other conditions of use. Additionally, to impose such a condition would likely not benefit consumers and only serve to restrict choice.

ED E

Interesting, but
A) his bias must be acknowledged
what are the other means?

The Cush

Comreg's Response to Consultation and Final Decision published - https://www.comreg.ie/publication/mobile-phone-repeaters-response-to-consultation-and-final-decision/

Comreg has gone with its preferred option from its consultation to permit the licence exempt use of repeaters for consumers on all Mobile Operators’ networks (‘Multi-operator Repeaters’)

From the consultation

ComReg's Preferred Option

90. The above assessment has considered the impact of the various options from the perspective of industry stakeholders, as well as the impact on competition and consumers. For the reasons identified above, ComReg considers that, on balance, Option 3 would be the more appropriate regulatory option to adopt in the context of the RIA analytical framework.

91. In particular, ComReg is of the preliminary view that Option 3 would be justified, reasonable and proportionate, because, amongst other things Option 3:

• provides households/premises with a mobile connectivity solution that benefits the greatest number of consumers by authorising repeaters across all networks, and is more efficient for consumers as there is no need to buy more than one device per household;
• protects Mobile Operators existing and future efficient investments by mitigating the risks of interference associated with the use of unauthorised repeaters/boosters and also positively impacts on user perceptions of the MNO networks by eliminating issues that had been previously and erroneously associated with them;
• would accord with ComReg’s statutory objective of encouraging the efficient use and ensuring the effective management of spectrum by allowing the radio spectrum to be used in a manner that provides connectivity solutions to consumers while protecting against undue interference;
• would protect all operators from network interference and provides equal benefits in terms of improved connectivity for consumers;
• would accord with the principle of safeguarding competition to the benefit of consumers and promoting, where appropriate, infrastructure based competition; and
• would appear to be least onerous means by which the policy issues and objectives as stated could be achieved.

From the Response

ComReg's Preferred Option

107. The above assessment has considered the impact of the various options from the perspective of industry stakeholders, as well as the impact on competition and consumers. For the reasons identified above, ComReg considers that, on balance, Option 3 is the more appropriate regulatory option to adopt in the context of the RIA analytical framework.

108. In particular, ComReg is of the view that Option 3 is justified, reasonable and proportionate, because, amongst other things Option 3:

• provides households/premises with a mobile connectivity solution that benefits the greatest number of consumers by authorising repeaters across all networks, and is more efficient for consumers as there is no need to buy more than one device per household;
• protects Mobile Operators existing and future efficient investments by mitigating the risks of interference associated with the use of unauthorised boosters and also positively impacts on user perceptions of the MNO networks by eliminating issues that had been previously and erroneously associated with them;
• accords with ComReg’s statutory objective of encouraging the efficient use and ensuring the effective management of spectrum by allowing the radio spectrum to be used in a manner that provides connectivity solutions to consumers while protecting against undue interference;
• protects all operators from network interference and provides equal benefits in terms of improved connectivity for consumers;
• accords with the principle of safeguarding competition to the benefit of consumers and promoting, where appropriate, infrastructure based competition; and
• appears to be least onerous means by which the policy issues and objectives as stated could be achieved.

ED E

So their decision is "enacted" now by my skimming of it?


Really it will be a free for all anyways as Customs aren't gonna go validating standards stickers.

The Cush

ED E wrote: »

So their decision is "enacted" now by my skimming of it?

Once the Statutory Instrument has been signed and published in Iris Oifigiúil

ED E wrote: »

Really it will be a free for all anyways as Customs aren't gonna go validating standards stickers.

and the cost of the legal units will most likely push people towards the cheaper Asian units, e.g. https://www.stelladoradus.com/product-category/home-mobile-signal-boosters/

ED E

The sad part is this will primarily impact the rural MBB user. While there are a few super insulated/in a depression buildings in urban areas the majority of repeaters will go into lower density areas where a misbehaving unit will blast out 800Mhz over a large swathe and nuke performance.


AFAIK Comreg simply do not have the manpower to do any real enforcement and its been left to the MNOs in the past. In a cut costs at every opportunity market environment I don't see too many RF hunting cars on the road.

volker81k

Hi all,

Warming up this topic again after coming across an article in the Irish Independent:
https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/rural-mobile-coverage-gets-a-boost-as-telecoms-regulator-legalises-boosting-boxes-37061173.html

I couldn't find anything on Comreg's website.
Does somebody know
- if repeaters are legal now?
- which devices are legal? Any specific certificate for them?

Thanks!

ED E

SI 158 is the only COMREG SI completed YTD, "Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 (section 3) (Exemption of Mobile Phone Repeaters)Order 2018" has not progressed yet. As such the status quo still stands. Dail being on holiers probably means no movement soon?

(a) The Mobile Phone Repeater shall comply with ETSI standards EN 303 609, EN 301 908-11 and EN 301 908-15, and any revisions to those standards;

Those are the standards and other terms must be met if they go above the standards.

Here's a compliant 3G one.
https://www.stelladoradus.com/product/gsm-3g-repeater-home/

The Cush

ED E wrote: »

SI 158 is the only COMREG SI completed YTD, "Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 (section 3) (Exemption of Mobile Phone Repeaters)Order 2018" has not progressed yet. As such the status quo still stands. Dail being on holiers probably means no movement soon?

Secondary legislation, bypasses the Dáil. Just Commissioner's signature required and publication in Iris Oifigiúil to become law.

ED E

The Cush

Notice of regulation published in Iris Oifigiúil, last Friday

S.I. No. 283 of 2018.

WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY ACT 1926 (SECTION 3) (EXEMPTION OF MOBILE PHONE REPEATERS) ORDER 2018.

The Commission for Communications Regulation has made a Statutory Instrument in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 3(6)(a) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 (No. 45 of 1926), (inserted by section 11(c) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1972 (No. 5 of 1972)), transferred to the Commission for Communications Regulation by section 4(2) of the Communications Regulation (Amendment) Act 2007 (No. 22 of 2007).

This Instrument provides for the exemption of certain wireless telegraphy apparatus, namely mobile phone repeaters, which meet certain conditions stated in the face of the order, from the requirement to be licensed under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926.

Copies of the Statutory Instrument may be purchased from Government Publications, 52 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 or through any bookseller and can be viewed at www.comreg.ie.

Price: €2.54.

Gerry Fahy,
Chairperson,
on behalf of the Commission for Communications Regulation.

The Cush

Regulation published - http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/283/made/en/pdf

2017 Action 37 / 2018 Action 29 of the 2016 Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce is now complete.

Action 37 Comreg will develop a licensing scheme allowing the use of mobile phone repeaters to help address the issue of indoor coverage, particularly in rural areas.

Action 29 (Former 2017 Action 37) ComReg will introduce a scheme allowing the use of accredited mobile phone repeaters to help address the issue of indoor coverage, particularly in rural areas.

Curley72

They are selling them already: https://www.irelandboosters.com/

3 and Vodafone advised me to reach out to them to resolve my coverage issues.