Intensified control of wireless microphone usage in 2009

In 2009, the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) will pay special attention to the use of frequencies allocated to wireless microphones. Focus will be placed on licenses and conformity assessment requirements of microphones. The use of microphones will be followed up in addition to normal supervision throughout the country, and they will be tested for whether they comply with the conformity assessment requirements.

Wireless microphones are used in e.g. theatres, concerts, schools, sports events and karaoke bars. In most cases, the user needs a radio license to use a wireless microphone, because microphones share the same frequency range with television transmissions. It has been possible to exempt wireless microphones with a maximum transmit power of 10 mW operating solely in the frequency ranges of 31 - 43 MHz and 863 - 865 MHz from license, because these frequencies are not used by other radio networks.

FICORA grants licenses for the use of wireless microphones on the basis of client applications. A license can only be granted to a microphone that complies with the conformity assessment requirements. The purpose of the license procedure is to steer the use of radio frequencies in order to ensure interference-free radiocommunications. In accordance with the Act on Radio Frequencies and Telecommunications Equipment, a fine may be imposed for the unauthorized use of a radio transmitter.

Importers and dealers of wireless microphones and FICORA give advice on frequency and license matters to consumers, companies and organisations using microphones.

Press releases on wireless microphones (in Finnish)

Guidelines for radio transmitter buyers (in Finnish)

Further information:

Licenses:
Tapio Penkkala, Senior Network Specialist, tel. +358 9 6966 469, +358 40 500 1465
Joni Kallio, Frequency Planner, tel. +358 9 6966 879, +358 40 777 6972

Conformity assessment of equipment:
Pentti Lindfors, Head of Radio Inspection Unit, tel. +358 9 6966 453, +358 40 585 0460
Juhani Hokkinen, Inspection Engineer, tel. +358 9 6966 495, +358 40 500 1825