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<H1>Ban on power line adapters - UK government responds</H1>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>In 2008, <STRONG>UKQRM</STRONG>, a group set-up to fight
the significant interference generated by power line adaptors, created an
<BR>e-petition on the UK government website calling for such devices to be
banned.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>On Monday (20 April), the government issued the following
email response to that petition:</FONT></P><FONT face=Verdana>
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</FONT>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>This is the governments response from </FONT><A
href="http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19025" target=_blank><FONT
face=Verdana>www.number10.gov.uk/Page19025</FONT></A><FONT face=Verdana> with
regards to the e-petition about powerline adapters.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>Thank you for the E-petition demanding a ban on powerline
adaptors like the ones currently supplied by BT.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>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. </FONT></P><FONT face=Verdana>
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<P><STRONG><FONT face=Verdana>• The UKQRM e-petition was signed by 3,554 people
</FONT></STRONG></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>The e-petition<BR></FONT><A
href="http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveShortwave/" target=_blank><FONT
face=Verdana>http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveShortwave/</FONT></A></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>UKQRM on Yahoo groups<BR></FONT><A
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukqrm/" target=_blank><FONT
face=Verdana>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ukqrm/</FONT></A></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>YouTube Video of the Interference<BR></FONT><A
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XT99wSm4Gw" target=_blank><FONT
face=Verdana>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XT99wSm4Gw</FONT></A></P>
<P><FONT face=Verdana>Data-Over-Mains - HomePlug might use 2-50 MHz<BR></FONT><A
href="http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2007/homeplug_may_use_2_50mhz.htm"
target=_blank><FONT
face=Verdana>http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2007/<BR>homeplug_may_use_2_50mhz.htm</FONT></A><BR></P></BODY></HTML>