Authorities crack down on unlicensed mobile phone repeaters

The ACMA and New South Wales Fair Trading have joined forces to warn consumers about the use of unlicensed mobile phone repeaters.

Unlicensed mobile phone repeaters can cause interference to mobile phone networks, including emergency call services.

“Australian consumers face dangers in purchasing unlicensed mobile phone repeaters online and need to be aware of the activities of unscrupulous internet-based suppliers,” said ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman.

On 16 April 2015, NSW Fair Trading served a cease-and-desist order on the largest internet supplier of repeaters, Mobile Repeaters Australia (MRA).

“Traders like MRA are keeping consumers in the dark and misinformed about the necessary licensing requirements for using mobile repeater devices,” said NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe.

“Consumers need to be aware of the dangers of using these poorly made and non-compliant devices. By selling these second-rate mobile phone repeaters, traders are putting at risk the whole community for the sake of their own financial gain.”

“Contrary to the misinformation spread by some overseas-based internet traders, mobile phone repeaters cannot be used in Australia without written authorisation from your carrier,” Chapman said.

Sale of these repeaters by MRA exposes Australian consumers to the risk of being fined or prosecuted by the ACMA. Further, consumers may suffer considerable financial detriment in purchasing a repeater which cannot be used legally for its intended purpose.

A mobile phone repeater operates within spectra licensed to telecommunications carriers Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. To lawfully operate a repeater, mobile customers must have written permission from their carrier under a third-party arrangement.

The ACMA says it is aware that certain overseas-based internet traders (often appearing to be located in Australia) have been informing consumers that anyone in Australia can use repeaters ‘legally’. This is not correct. Only the holder of an applicable spectrum or apparatus licence is permitted to use or authorise the use of repeaters.

It is an offence under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act) to operate an unlicensed radiocommunications device or possess this device for the purpose of operation. A person found guilty of this offence may be imprisoned for two years for each offence. A body corporate may receive a penalty of up to $255,000 (1500 penalty units) per offence (sections 46 and 47 of the Act). Other penalties may apply, such as the interference offence provisions at Part 4.2 of the Act.