Requirements for wireless data communication (RadioLANs) in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands

RadioLANs (Local Area Networks) and similar wireless data links are exempted from licensing under conditions in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Other names for RadioLANs are Wifi, 802.11b or similar systems and wireless LANs etc.
The requirements laid down for use of these systems seek to ensure that as many users as possible are able to use these unlicensed applications. This Telecom Newsletter explains the requirements and restrictions for unlicensed usage.


European harmonisation
Harmonised frequencies and standards have been agreed in Europe for RadioLANs1 1 (CEPT Recommendation ERC/REC70-03, also see ERO website www.ero.dk) RadioLANs are intended mainly for mobile use. In practice, the systems are also used for fixed connections, point-to-multi point connections and in mesh networks.

Equipment requirements
All radio equipment put on to the European market must conform with the R&TTE Directive (99/05/EC). The provisions of the Directive are summarised below. Detailed information can be found here.


A person who puts radio equipment on to the European market is responsible for ensuring that the equipment satisfies the Directive. The Directive states that the equipment must meet the following essential requirements:

• it must not endanger the health or safety of the user;
• it must meet electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements;
• it must use the frequency spectrum effectively;
• it must not cause any harmful interference.

The Radiocommunications Agency has defined radio interfaces for RadioLANs in order to prevent interference. They can be found in the National Frequency Register

Provided that these radio profiles are used, users may assume that there is only a minimal risk of interference.

Information about use of the equipment and possible restrictions must be stated in the instructions for use and/or on the packaging. A CE mark must be provided on equipment that satisfies the R&TTE Directive.
If use of the equipment is not permitted in all countries of the European Economic Area or is subject to restrictions (non-harmonised application), the equipment must (in addition to the CE mark) bear the alert sign . This sign indicates that use of the equipment in the Netherlands is restricted or may possibly be prohibited.

NOTE. Even if apparatus satisfies the R&TTE Directive it does not necessarily mean that its use is permitted in the Netherlands.

Conditions for unlicensed use
Unlicensed applications are allowed for business and private purposes. They may also be used to provide commercial services to third parties. It is not permitted to deviate from the requirements stated below and licences are not issued for RadioLANs with parameters other than those stated below.

The applicable requirements and additional technical information can be found in the table below and in the references:

Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (e.i.r.p.). The product of the power supplied to the antennagain in a given direction relative to an isotropic antenna.
1 ) For the ‘direct sequence spread spectrum’ the maximum spectral power density is limited to -20 dBW/1 MHz. For ‘frequency hopping spread spectrum’ the maximum power density is limited to -10 dBW/100 kHz.
2 ) Equipment that works in the 5470 - 5725 MHz band and/or in the 5250 - 5350 MHz band must be provided with a ‘Transmitter Power Control’ and some form of ‘Dynamic Frequency Selection’.
Transmitter Power Control means that the system must be capable of reducing the average output power in the uplink and downlink by 3 dB if allowed by the propagation path.
The use of a form of Dynamic Frequency Selection must make it possible for the equipment to detect co-channel use by other services (like radar systems) and to select and use a different frequency after such detection. If the equipment uses both the 5150 – 5350 MHz band and the 5470 – 5725 MHz band, the power must be spread over at least 330 MHz; if use is made only of the 5470 – 5725 MHz band, the power must be spread over 255 MHz.
3 )This is the maximum average e.i.r.p. The average e.i.r.p. is the mean e.i.r.p. over a burst transmission at the highest power output setting of the transmitter.

Violation of the conditions
Users of RadioLANs must comply with the requirements. To protect other users, the Radiocommunications Agency ensures that all users observe the requirements.
Exceeding the permissible transmitting power and using other frequency bands will render a user liable to criminal prosecution and/or administrative penalties that may include seizure of the equipment.

Interference-free usage
RadioLANs must share the allocated frequency bands with other users and must accept limitations caused by other legal applications. Users should therefore make allowance for interference in radio communication caused by other users. The use of RadioLANs for business-critical processes is inadvisable for this reason. Interference caused by illegal usage may be reported to the Radiocommunications Agency tel.: (0900) 8991151.

More information about interference and the complaints procedure (in Dutch) can be found here.