6/29/2016 FM22 - Copenhagen 28th March 2012 Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), Ireland Operation Memphis: A search and seizure operation targeting distributors of mobile phone repeaters and radio jammers

Operation Memphis - Table of Contents  Why the need for enforcement action?  Legislative powers  Target locations  Result of enforcement action  Photographs of seized devices  Summary 2

Operation Memphis – The need for action  The number of mobile phone repeaters and radio jammers in use in Ireland is on the increase.  Radio jammers cause intentional interference.  Radio jammers are typically used by organised criminals for use during burglaries and by legitimate establishments wishing to prevent mobile phone use, e.g. cinemas, theatres and schools.  Mobile phone repeaters cause unintended harmful interference due to the nature of their operation.  Mobile phone repeaters are used in buildings where poor mobile phone reception is experienced.  Statutory obligation to maintain the integrity of the radio spectrum. 3

Operation Memphis – Legislative powers  Importation, manufacture and sale of radio jammers in Ireland is illegal.  S.I. No. 66/2011 — Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1972 (Prohibition of Sale, Letting on Hire, Manufacture, and Importation of Wireless Telegraphy Interference Apparatus) Order,  In Ireland, mobile phone repeaters are considered to be non- compliant with the R&TTE Directive as they do not meet the essential requirements because they cause harmful interference.  It is a criminal offence to place non-compliant devices on the market.  Possession of “apparatus for wireless telegraphy” without a licence is a criminal offence in Ireland.  Only compliant devices are exempt from licensing for the purpose of placing them on the market. 4

Operation Memphis – Target Locations 5  Eight targets in total  Dublin (2 sites)  Kildare  Louth (3 sites)  Roscommon  Waterford

Operation Memphis – Result of enforcement action  Radio jammers  1 distributor of radio jammers raided in a joint operation with Customs & Excise; several radio jammers seized by Customs & Excise.  Mobile phone repeaters  3 distributors of mobile phone repeaters raided.  One distributor “drop shipping” repeaters directly from China.  3 users of mobile phone repeaters causing harmful interference raided.  1 manufacturer of mobile phone repeaters raided.  The manufacturer was shipping mobile phone repeaters internationally to several CEPT countries.  Over 400 mobile phone repeaters in total seized by ComReg. 6

Operation Memphis – Photos of seized devices 7

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9  Claims compliance with “EN V1.1.1 ( ) - Fixed Radio Systems; Point to Multipoint Antennas; Antennas for Point-to-Multipoint fixed radio systems in the 1 GHz to 3 GHz band”

Operation Memphis – Photos of seized devices 10  7 separate mobile phone repeaters installed on one side of building.  3 more repeaters were installed on another side of the same building.  Output of one repeater could potentially enter input of the 9 other repeaters.  The entire system operated like a radio jammer!

Operation Memphis - Summary  Importation ban on radio jammers proving effective.  Over 400 mobile phone repeaters seized.  Several prosecutions pending. 11

6/29/2016 Any Questions?

Contact Details Tom Hurley Spectrum Compliance Engineer Tel: Address: ComReg Abbey Court Irish Life Centre Lower Abbey Street Dublin 1 Ireland 13