Ofcom Propose to Prosecute Owners of Bad Powerline Network Adapters

The telecoms regulator has started a new consultation that proposes to expand the remit of its existing wireless telegraphy legislation in order to tackle electronic devices that create “undue interference“, which among other things could target consumers that make use of bad Powerline Adapters (HomePlug) for their home computer networks.

Powerline adapters (PLA) have become quite popular over the past few years, not least because of their unique ability to cleverly harness a homes existing power cables and, without sacrificing their primary purpose of distributing electricity, turn them into a home network (LAN) for your computers (modern PLA’s use spectrum in the 1.8MHz to 86MHz range).

Sometimes WiFi just won’t get the job done and running a network cable around the house might not be viable, which leaves a sizeable niche for Powerline to fill. But such devices, particularly older or imported models that often didn’t comply as rigidly to EU rules, were also notorious for creating electromagnetic interference for other devices that needed to use nearby wireless radio spectrum.

In the main, interference from PLA’s mostly impacted radio hams using the hf short wave bands and tended to be quite localised due to the low power of related devices. We recall some examples of BTVision shipping older Comtrend adapters several years ago, which made some people unhappy. In a few cases similar kit was also blamed for causing interference with sound systems, DAB/FM radio and even broadband ADSL lines, among other things.

Today such hardware is much more compliant with modern standards, but that’s not to say that some manufacturers won’t ship dodgy or even faulty products that could create excessive interference. Ofcom’s proposed regulations, which are intended to address situations that exist outside of the EU’s related EMC Directive and RTTE Directive, will also tackle more than PLA adapters.

In fact between 2013 and 2014 the regulator said that 13 different types of apparatus were “found to be causing undue interference“, which Ofcom said “identified a distinct and important need for intervention“. Funnily enough the Government’s intelligence agency, GCHQ, once similarly warned that PLA kit was “likely to cause a detrimental affect to part of the core business of this department“. Oops.

The 13 Apparatus Responsible for Undue Interference

Control Equipment
Domestic Electric Cables
High Voltage Power Cables
Industrial Scientific Medical Equipment
IT Equipment
IT Power Supply Unit
Lighting
Power Line Adaptor
Power Supply Unit Battery Charger
Security Equipment
Transformer
TV Aerial Amplifier
TV Equipment

Over the years we’ve seen a number of examples where apparatus, such as a faulty AC adapter or flashing Christmas tree lights, have caused significant interference for other services and devices (sometimes affecting multiple homes). In the past Ofcom has struggled to tackle these, but under the new rules they could act if “we think the apparatus has caused, is causing or is likely to cause undue interference to wireless telegraphy including wireless telegraphy used for the purposes of a safety of life service, or for a purpose on which the safety of a person, or of a ship, aircraft or vehicle may depend.”

Any such notice served upon the owner of such equipment may prohibit the use of the related apparatus, while failure to comply with the notice would be considered a criminal offence under section 58 of the Act (e.g. fines of up to £5,000 or 3 years in prison). The Proposed Regulations will apply in the United Kingdom and will not extend to the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Ofcom’s consultation will remain open for responses until 5pm on 16th February 2015 and the regulator intends to publish a statement on the matter by March 2015. It’s hoped the new rules could be introduced by May 2015.

NOTE: The picture used in this article is a general illustration of a PLA adapter and is not a specific example of bad hardware.