EU wants free wireless software to the collar – Portal Liberal (press release)

07/12/2015 – 16:30

The implementation of an EU directive into national law threatens the use of free software or alternative. Even projects that provide for more freedom in the network might fail. Also the use of an alternative software for incorrect or no longer updated by the manufacturer products would also make a bolt pushed forward.

In 2014 was in public without much attention from the European Parliament “Directive on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States concerning the provision of radio equipment on the market and repealing Directive 1999/5 / EC” decided. In the fall of 2015 this policy experiences through publications of Internet activists wider attention. That radio systems require a regulation, is evident, because the freedom of your own radio signals ends in radio usage range of the co-users. Transmissions in adjacent radio bands can lead to problems with air traffic control radar in microwave links and many other services

The trick:. Nowadays almost everyone operates a radio system. Each wireless device is a radio transmitter and the same wireless receiver. The EU directive requires that the manufacturer of the equipment must ensure that “that only such software can be loaded, for the conformity of their combination have been established with the radio system”. This applies to all devices that fall into the not specifically defined “categories or classes”. Thus almost all wireless routers and many PCs are affected.

Users and developers of alternative software for wireless devices now fear that with the EU scheme to install alternative software that is not the manufacturer of the equipment was created or certified, is inhibited. For many projects, such as free wireless would be no longer possible in Germany. It would also be an alternative software inadmissible for defective and not updated by the manufacturer products.

A look at the annual report of the Federal Network Agency, which is also responsible for radio interference processing, disclosed that it, at least in 2014, no specific action in the field of WLAN components has given. From 6000 disorder cases are listed with insufficient attenuation and interference of DECT-phone as the main sources of interference only defective heating control systems, Satellite receivers. From this it can be deduced for WLAN components no regulatory need. The non-critical WLAN components are therefore exempt from regulation or treated in a way that will allow continuing the use of alternative software. The EU Directive allows for that.