Legality of using 315MHz and 433MHz RF consumer devices in India

[Banibrata Dutta]

Hi,

Could someone knowledgeable on the legality of using consumer electronics
(e.g. car remote key, garage door-opener etc.) that use RF to communicate
clarify if 315MHz and 433MHz bands, are okay to use for such purpose and the
maximum transmission power ?

I checked the WPC site, and found some 2002 allocation plans. The National
Frequency Allocation table shows the following 2 possibilities for 315MHz:-

312 – 315

*FIXED*

*MOBILE*

Mobile-Satellite (Earth to Space) S5.254 S5.255



315 – 322

*FIXED*

*MOBILE*

S5.254



and for 433MHz, it shows:-

430 - 440

*FIXED*

*MOBILE** *except aeronautical mobile S5.276

*RADIOLOCATION *

*SPACE OPERATION ( Earth to space) S5.281*

Amateur

Aeronautical Radionavigation

S5.282

*IND** 03, IND 05 IND 29*

So, does it mean that effectively all those 315MHz and 433MHz remote
key-less entry fobs for cars, are illegal ?

[Vickram Crishna]

I think we need to address such issues arising from WPC's inability to
effectively handle RF spectrum. As we know, WPC's job is frequency management,
but allocation is done by SACFA, the cross-ministry group. It is patently
obvious that spectrum misuse is not acted upon until it directly affects
licensed users who complain, or bureaucrats whose lack of action becomes public
knowledge.

For instance, when they shut down the radio station Arun and I set up in a
remote village in Andhra Pradesh, they made out that the Wireless Monitoring
group had been alerted. The truth is the 'alert' came from a story carried on
mainstream television, and no media organisation complained - but the monitoring
group might have been pulled up for not doing its job (again, quite ridiculous
to imagine that a 50mW transmitter could even be detected a couple of km away
from the village, never mind in Delhi. But even 'media freedom firebrand' Arun
Shourie, the Minister at the time, could do nothing).
Vickram
http://communicall.wordpress.com
http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com

Sent: Wed, 7 July, 2010 20:03:27
Subject: [india-gii] Legality of using 315MHz and 433MHz RF consumer devices in
India
Hi,
Could someone knowledgeable on the legality of using consumer electronics (e.g.
car remote key, garage door-opener etc.) that use RF to communicate clarify if
315MHz and 433MHz bands, are okay to use for such purpose and the maximum
transmission power ?
I checked the WPC site, and found some 2002 allocation plans. The National
Frequency Allocation table shows the following 2 possibilities for 315MHz:-
312 – 315
FIXED
MOBILE
Mobile-Satellite (Earth to Space) S5.254 S5.255
315 – 322
FIXED
MOBILE
S5.254
and for 433MHz, it shows:-
430 - 440
FIXED
MOBILEexcept aeronautical mobile S5.276
RADIOLOCATION
SPACE OPERATION ( Earth to space) S5.281
Amateur
Aeronautical Radionavigation
S5.282 IND03, IND 05 IND 29
So, does it mean that effectively all those 315MHz and 433MHz remote key-less
entry fobs for cars, are illegal ?
--
regards,
Banibrata
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bdutta
http://twitter.com/edgeliving

[Banibrata Dutta]

Okay. So looks like I might have just opened up a can of worms by posting
the question in the first place. Given the location of the transceiver
(i.e.within home or my own property), and by limiting the transmit power to
such that the signals are not detectable outside of my property, I am still
liable to be prosecuted ?

Is someone aware of GoI's take on White-space freq band usage, and if there
really are bands that can be termed white-space in our country ? By looking
at the WPC's Freq Allocation Plan, just can't figure out.

Post by Vickram Crishna
I think we need to address such issues arising from WPC's inability to
effectively handle RF spectrum. As we know, WPC's job is frequency
management, but allocation is done by SACFA, the cross-ministry group. It is
patently obvious that spectrum misuse is not acted upon until it directly
affects licensed users who complain, or bureaucrats whose lack of action
becomes public knowledge.
For instance, when they shut down the radio station Arun and I set up in a
remote village in Andhra Pradesh, they made out that the Wireless Monitoring
group had been alerted. The truth is the 'alert' came from a story carried
on mainstream television, and no media organisation complained - but the
monitoring group might have been pulled up for not doing its job (again,
quite ridiculous to imagine that a 50mW transmitter could even be detected a
couple of km away from the village, never mind in Delhi. But even 'media
freedom firebrand' Arun Shourie, the Minister at the time, could do
nothing).
Vickram
http://communicall.wordpress.com
http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com
*Sent:* Wed, 7 July, 2010 20:03:27
*Subject:* [india-gii] Legality of using 315MHz and 433MHz RF consumer
devices in India
Hi,
Could someone knowledgeable on the legality of using consumer electronics
(e.g. car remote key, garage door-opener etc.) that use RF to communicate
clarify if 315MHz and 433MHz bands, are okay to use for such purpose and the
maximum transmission power ?
I checked the WPC site, and found some 2002 allocation plans. The National
Frequency Allocation table shows the following 2 possibilities for 315MHz:-
312 – 315
*FIXED*
*MOBILE*
Mobile-Satellite (Earth to Space) S5.254 S5.255
315 – 322
*FIXED*
*MOBILE*
S5.254
and for 433MHz, it shows:-
430 - 440
*FIXED*
*MOBILE** *except aeronautical mobile S5.276
*RADIOLOCATION *
*SPACE OPERATION ( Earth to space) S5.281*
Amateur
Aeronautical Radionavigation
S5.282
*IND** 03, IND 05 IND 29*
So, does it mean that effectively all those 315MHz and 433MHz remote
key-less entry fobs for cars, are illegal ?
--
regards,
Banibrata
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bdutta
http://twitter.com/edgeliving
____________________________________________________________
http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/india-gii

[Banibrata Dutta]

Found this link http://www.volny.cz/horvitz/os-info/india.html and that
answers some of the questions, although the answers are definitely
frustrating.

On Thu, Jul 8, 2010 at 10:10 AM, Banibrata Dutta

Post by Banibrata Dutta
Okay. So looks like I might have just opened up a can of worms by posting
the question in the first place. Given the location of the transceiver
(i.e.within home or my own property), and by limiting the transmit power to
such that the signals are not detectable outside of my property, I am still
liable to be prosecuted ?
Is someone aware of GoI's take on White-space freq band usage, and if there
really are bands that can be termed white-space in our country ? By looking
at the WPC's Freq Allocation Plan, just can't figure out.

Post by Vickram Crishna
I think we need to address such issues arising from WPC's inability to
effectively handle RF spectrum. As we know, WPC's job is frequency
management, but allocation is done by SACFA, the cross-ministry group. It is
patently obvious that spectrum misuse is not acted upon until it directly
affects licensed users who complain, or bureaucrats whose lack of action
becomes public knowledge.
For instance, when they shut down the radio station Arun and I set up in a
remote village in Andhra Pradesh, they made out that the Wireless Monitoring
group had been alerted. The truth is the 'alert' came from a story carried
on mainstream television, and no media organisation complained - but the
monitoring group might have been pulled up for not doing its job (again,
quite ridiculous to imagine that a 50mW transmitter could even be detected a
couple of km away from the village, never mind in Delhi. But even 'media
freedom firebrand' Arun Shourie, the Minister at the time, could do
nothing).
Vickram
http://communicall.wordpress.com
http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com
*Sent:* Wed, 7 July, 2010 20:03:27
*Subject:* [india-gii] Legality of using 315MHz and 433MHz RF consumer
devices in India
Hi,
Could someone knowledgeable on the legality of using consumer electronics
(e.g. car remote key, garage door-opener etc.) that use RF to communicate
clarify if 315MHz and 433MHz bands, are okay to use for such purpose and the
maximum transmission power ?
I checked the WPC site, and found some 2002 allocation plans. The National
Frequency Allocation table shows the following 2 possibilities for 315MHz:-
312 – 315
*FIXED*
*MOBILE*
Mobile-Satellite (Earth to Space) S5.254 S5.255
315 – 322
*FIXED*
*MOBILE*
S5.254
and for 433MHz, it shows:-
430 - 440
*FIXED*
*MOBILE** *except aeronautical mobile S5.276
*RADIOLOCATION *
*SPACE OPERATION ( Earth to space) S5.281*
Amateur
Aeronautical Radionavigation
S5.282
*IND** 03, IND 05 IND 29*
So, does it mean that effectively all those 315MHz and 433MHz remote
key-less entry fobs for cars, are illegal ?
--
regards,
Banibrata
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bdutta
http://twitter.com/edgeliving
____________________________________________________________
http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/india-gii

--
regards,
Banibrata
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bdutta
http://twitter.com/edgeliving
____________________________________________________________
http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/india-gii

[Vickram Crishna]

Technically, if you do not let signals leak outside your own (ownership)
property, you are not in contravention of the law. I am not sure this fine point
will be understood, though, by whichever junior officer is sent to make your
acquaintance.
Vickram
http://communicall.wordpress.com
http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com

Sent: Thu, 8 July, 2010 12:49:55
Subject: Re: [india-gii] Legality of using 315MHz and 433MHz RF consumer
Found this link http://www.volny.cz/horvitz/os-info/india.html and that answers
some of the questions, although the answers are definitely frustrating.
Okay. So looks like I might have just opened up a can of worms by posting the
question in the first place. Given the location of the transceiver (i.e.within
home or my own property), and by limiting the transmit power to such that the
signals are not detectable outside of my property, I am still liable to be
prosecuted ?

Post by Banibrata Dutta
Is someone aware of GoI's take on White-space freq band usage, and if there
really are bands that can be termed white-space in our country ? By looking at
the WPC's Freq Allocation Plan, just can't figure out.
I think we need to address such issues arising from WPC's inability to
effectively handle RF spectrum. As we know, WPC's job is frequency management,
but allocation is done by SACFA, the cross-ministry group. It is patently
obvious that spectrum misuse is not acted upon until it directly affects
licensed users who complain, or bureaucrats whose lack of action becomes public
knowledge.

Post by Vickram Crishna
For instance, when they shut down the radio station Arun and I set up in a
remote village in Andhra Pradesh, they made out that the Wireless Monitoring
group had been alerted. The truth is the 'alert' came from a story carried on
mainstream television, and no media organisation complained - but the monitoring
group might have been pulled up for not doing its job (again, quite ridiculous
to imagine that a 50mW transmitter could even be detected a couple of km away
from the village, never mind in Delhi. But even 'media freedom firebrand' Arun
Shourie, the Minister at the time, could do nothing).
Vickram
http://communicall.wordpress.com
http://vvcrishna.wordpress.com

Sent: Wed, 7 July, 2010 20:03:27
Subject: [india-gii] Legality of using 315MHz and 433MHz RF consumer devices in
India
Hi,
Could someone knowledgeable on the legality of using consumer electronics (e.g.
car remote key, garage door-opener etc.) that use RF to communicate clarify if
315MHz and 433MHz bands, are okay to use for such purpose and the maximum
transmission power ?
I checked the WPC site, and found some 2002 allocation plans. The National
Frequency Allocation table shows the following 2 possibilities for 315MHz:-
312 – 315
FIXED
MOBILE
Mobile-Satellite (Earth to Space) S5.254 S5.255
315 – 322
FIXED
MOBILE
S5.254
and for 433MHz, it shows:-
430 - 440
FIXED
MOBILEexcept aeronautical mobile S5.276
RADIOLOCATION
SPACE OPERATION ( Earth to space) S5.281
Amateur
Aeronautical Radionavigation
S5.282 IND03, IND 05 IND 29
So, does it mean that effectively all those 315MHz and 433MHz remote key-less
entry fobs for cars, are illegal ?
--
regards,
Banibrata
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bdutta
http://twitter.com/edgeliving

____________________________________________________________
http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/india-gii

--
regards,
Banibrata
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bdutta
http://twitter.com/edgeliving
____________________________________________________________
http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/india-gii

--
regards,
Banibrata
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bdutta
http://twitter.com/edgeliving

[sajan venniyoor]

Dear Banibrata,

I think you need to look under "Remarks in the National Frequency Allocation
Table" for specific allocations.

For instance, under IND 24 in the (draft) NFAP 2008, it says: "The
requirement of short-range radio may be considered in the frequency band
350-351 MHz. The frequency spots [*some 20 spots are given*] are earmarked
for this purpose." Short-range radio usually includes some of the
applications you've mentioned.

For specific allocations for garage-door openers and other low power
gadgets, please check out Remarks on
NFAP-2002<http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/DocFiles/NFAP/NPR.doc>
. (Also http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/DocFiles/Draft%20NFAP-2008-Revised.doc. I
am sure the WPC site is littered with similar documents, half of which
supersede the other half. I have no idea which NFAP is operational now).



IND08



Following frequencies have been earmarked for various purposes in the
citizen band:





*Frequency (kHz)*

*Type of Purpose*



26964, 26972, 27036, 27124

Personal Communication Relating to Hobbies



27250, 27260

Radio Controlled Toys/low power electric gadgets



27004, 27116, 27148, 27156, 27228

Aeromodelling



27140, 27204 ,26968, 26976

Mountaineering



27220, 27244

Radio Communication Relating To Sports Events



27012, 27028, 27172, 27212

Communication Requirement In Rural Areas








27044


27052

Communication Relating To Road Accident/Emergencies:

a. Contacting Police

b. Contacting Hospitals/Ambulance



26980, 27236

Communication Needs On Highways



27092, 27100

Communication Requirements Of Wild Life/Forest Conservation



27060, 27068

Life Saving Communication In Coastal Water/Rivers/Lakes



27076, 27084

Natural Disaster Relief



27020, 27108

For Special Radio Controlled Devices (Garage Door Openers, Safety Alarm
Etc.)



27155, 27225

Radio control of models



26988, 26996, 27132 27164, 27180, 27188,

27196, 27252, 27268,27276

Spare Channels For Future Requirements






It doesn't specifically mention Citizen's Band (CB) radio -- it talks about
'communication needs on highways' -- but CB Radio has been deregulated
since then, in the frequency band 26.957 - 27.283 MHz, with a maximum ERP of
5 Watts.

In the draft NFAP-2008, it says for instance that:
IND 39: "Use of low power equipments in the frequency band 865-867 MHz with
a maximum transmitter power of 1 Watt (4 Watts Effective Radiated Power)
with 200 KHz carrier band width has been exempted from licensing
requirement." It doesn't say what 'low power equipments', but there it is.

Sajan

Post by Vickram Crishna
*Sent:* Wed, 7 July, 2010 20:03:27
*Subject:* [india-gii] Legality of using 315MHz and 433MHz RF consumer
devices in India
Hi,
Could someone knowledgeable on the legality of using consumer electronics
(e.g. car remote key, garage door-opener etc.) that use RF to communicate
clarify if 315MHz and 433MHz bands, are okay to use for such purpose and the
maximum transmission power ?
I checked the WPC site, and found some 2002 allocation plans. The National
Frequency Allocation table shows the following 2 possibilities for 315MHz:-
312 – 315
*FIXED*
*MOBILE*
Mobile-Satellite (Earth to Space) S5.254 S5.255
315 – 322
*FIXED*
*MOBILE*
S5.254
and for 433MHz, it shows:-
430 - 440
*FIXED*
*MOBILE** *except aeronautical mobile S5.276
*RADIOLOCATION *
*SPACE OPERATION ( Earth to space) S5.281*
Amateur
Aeronautical Radionavigation
S5.282
*IND** 03, IND 05 IND 29*
So, does it mean that effectively all those 315MHz and 433MHz remote
key-less entry fobs for cars, are illegal ?
--
regards,
Banibrata
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bdutta
http://twitter.com/edgeliving