Ofcom is legalising the use of FM transmitters that allow iPods and other MP3 players to play through car radios. The use of devices, such as Griffin’s “iTrip”, was banned in the UK as their transmissions can interfere with broadcasts by legal radio stations.
However, the device and other similar accessories for MP3 players have been widely available online.
Now certain FM transmitters, which can be tuned to spare frequencies, will be legal from 8 December.
Ofcom will also remove the need for a licence to use Citizens’ Band radio.
The regulator’s move follows a public consultation exercise.
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Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted
Comments
6 responses to “Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted”
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re: Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted
I wonder if the reason for lifting CB radio licensing is that (a) it’s now irrelevant, and (b) they’re no-longer worried about “terrorists” and “anarchists” using it for usurping authority by communicating with each other.. they’d now use mobile phones and text messaging.
Not that the UK’s version of CB radio was actually any use to man nor beast due to the frequencies and power allocated for it. (The signal *MAY* reach a couple of miles on a good day, in the right conditions. Practically pointless as anything other than a toy.)
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re: Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted
Hurrah for common sense!
I’d agree with Stephen about CB and in fact FM is already going the same way. Here in London many more comercial stations are available on DAB digital radio and the FM spectrum is so clogged with pirate stations many of the comercial stations are unlistenable (especially if you are on the move).
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re: Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted
Steve, I’d have to say that you’ve obviously never actually used CB “in anger”. Nightbus at Bath Uni used the CB for at least 2-3 hours each night over distances of up to about 4 miles and it worked pretty well. Yes there were issues when the antenna on the bus was dodgy, or there was an inversion layer on the hill (which meant you could hear in town but not at the Uni).
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re: Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted
I was comparing with the US version of CB which has a *FAR* greater operating range (and hence far higher utility).
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re: Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted
I was pointing out that your comment re :
“Not that the UK’s version of CB radio was actually any use to man nor beast due to the frequencies and power allocated for it. (The signal *MAY* reach a couple of miles on a good day, in the right conditions. Practically pointless as anything other than a toy.)”
was in fact incorrect. It was entirely useful, and totally necessary for Nightbus’s operation. Yes, in bad weather (usually fog or very cold conditions) there were issues, but fortunately the one-way nature of the comms then was from the HQ to the bus.
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re: Ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted
Fair enough.
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