POLICIES :: eCommunications :: Short range devices
Short range, mass market
The generic term "short-range device" (SRD) stands for a large variety of low power radio transmitters that use shared frequency bands on a licence-exempt basis. These transmitters are usually mass-produced devices that are used in numerous applications such as alarm systems, door openers, medical implants, radio frequency identification (RFID) as well as for intelligent transport systems or in local communication equipment such as Wi-Fi routers. To ensure that SRDs can be used everywhere in Europe, harmonised spectrum access conditions are needed.
Transparent and consistent rules for manufacturers and users
how to access the radio spectrum are necessary to enable a fully functioning
internal market in the EU for SRDs. The European Commission Decision on
harmonisation of the radio spectrum for use by short-range devices
2006/771/EC therefore sets out the harmonised frequency bands as well as the
technical usage conditions under which SRDs can be used across Europe. SRD
equipment operating in these licence-exempt bands can be sold and used
throughout the EU (“Class 1” equipment according to the classification
introduced under the Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment
(R&TTE) Directive).
Applications that rely on the licence-exempt SRD bands benefit from the easy
access to the radio spectrum in the European Union because no spectrum licences
are required. The harmonisation of the SRD bands throughout the internal market
also supports economies of scale for equipment manufacturers. However, using SRD
bands always means that the access to the spectrum is shared with other users
and/or other applications. In addition, SRD bands can only be used on a
non-protected and non-interference basis. This means that SRDs have to protect
themselves and to coexist with each other. The growing interest in SRD bands is
therefore an indication that emerging technologies are increasingly able to do
so.
Current estimates show that annually several million SRDs are sold in the
European Union. Due to rapid changes in technology and societal demands as well
as the emergence of new applications that use SRDs, regular updates of spectrum
harmonisation conditions are necessary. In order to ensure that emerging SRD
applications are not hampered by lack of harmonised spectrum, the Commission has
issued a permanent mandate to the
CEPT
to keep the technical conditions contained in the SRD Decision under scrutiny
and to propose additions in response to developments in the SRD market.
Current developments
SRDs play an increasingly important role in the daily life of
citizens. Numerous applications such as alarms, door openers, medical devices,
but also local communications equipment such as Wi-Fi routers, rely on these low
power radio transmitters. Due to growing demand for harmonised SRD bands for
various applications, the European Commission is undertaking regular updates of
spectrum harmonisation conditions for SRDs. As part of this regular update
process the technical annex of the SRD Decision has been updated in 2008
(Decision 2008/432/EC), in 2009 (Decision 2009/381/EC) and in 2010 (Decision
2010/368/EU). The latest and fourth update in December 2011 (Decision
2011/829/EU) will replace the 2010 version of the technical annex.
The newly harmonised licence-exempt frequency bands can be used by intelligent
transport systems, vehicle radars and for non-specified purposes, respectively.
Additionally, the technical conditions for a number of devices, such as RFID and
inductive devices, are made less restrictive. Members States have to implement
the new spectrum usage conditions by 1 June 2012.
In context of the permanent mandate the Commission has also provided a
guidance document to CEPT for the fifth update of the SRD Decision. The
results of the technical studies are expected in December 2012.