Weak mobile phone reception at home or in business can make life difficult for us – so the use of a repeater might seem obvious. While these devices can amplify mobile phone signals, they can also interfere. Therefore, several requirements must be met before using repeaters.
Conformity
The repeater must comply with the Ordinance on Telecommunications Installations (FAV; 784.101.2) or the EU Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU).
This is intended to ensure that the repeater complies with specific technical limit values and if used as intended does not interfere with other radio applications. For example, mobile repeaters must not amplify any frequencies outside the mobile radio bands; the standards therefore specify, among other things, what amplification is still permitted at the frequency band edges. This is a particular technical challenge for broadband amplifiers.
If you import a mobile repeater from abroad, you are responsible for its conformity; the importation of non-compliant radio equipment is liable to prosecution.
More information can be found at:
It is worth bearing in mind that the only radio equipment listed in the list of non-compliant radio installations is that for which technical non-conformity has been established in the course of a market surveillance procedure carried out by OFCOM. If an item of radio equipment is not included in this list, it cannot be assumed that it is therefore compliant, for the above-mentioned reasons.
Compliance with the interface requirement
The repeater must comply with the applicable radio interface requirement.
The individual radio interface requirements have implemented the national frequency allocation plan in the respective areas. A mobile radio repeater must not amplify any frequencies other than the mobile radio frequencies. A technical interface requirement includes the intended application and the technical specifications which must be complied with when radio equipment is to be operated in the corresponding frequency band. Information on restrictions on use and standards is also provided in the requirements.
More information can be found at:
Permission of the mobile radio network operator
Each individual mobile radio network operator whose frequencies you amplify with your repeater must give you its consent to do so. The mobile radio network operators have a licence to use the mobile radio frequencies. They plan their mobile radio network and may in the process also take mobile repeaters into account in their planning. Depending on the mobile radio network operator's requirement, a broadband amplifier or a selective amplifier may be used. You are not allowed to operate the mobile repeater without their agreement.
Installation in accordance with the recognised rules of technology
Repeaters must be installed professionally.
For example, if the antennas of repeaters are installed too close to each other or if excessively high amplification is set, the mobile repeater may oscillate, i.e. generate its own emissions, which may interfere with the mobile network.
Mobile radio network operators may change the frequencies or transmitting powers in their network at any time; this may result in repeaters which have not caused problems in the past suddenly causing interference.
In recent years the majority of interference reports have been attributable to mobile radio repeaters. Overcoming radio interference is time-consuming and may have financial consequences for the person responsible.
Last modification 11.03.2020
