With immediate effect, TAS will be prohibiting the import and sale of cordless telephone and wireless surveillance video cameras, operating in the GSM frequency bands (890-915MHz and 935-960MHz). Under the ...
Singapore, 2 April 1998 | For Immediate Release
With immediate effect, TAS will be prohibiting the import and sale of cordless telephone and wireless surveillance video cameras, operating in the GSM frequency bands (890-915MHz and 935-960MHz). Under the Telecommunication (Dealers) (Amendment) Regulations 1998 which came into effect on 27 March 1998, dealers are no longer allowed to display, sell or possess for sale these equipment.
These cordless telephone and wireless surveillance video cameras1 operating in the GSM band are not type-approved by TAS for local use, as they have been causing serious interference to the public cellular mobile telephone service. In order to prevent future occurrence of such interference incidents to the GSM mobile telephone networks, it is necessary to prohibit the import and sale of these equipment in Singapore. This is to maintain the quality of the cellular service and to address the rising cases of interference to the GSM mobile telephone networks. Since September 1997, there are about 50 cases of interference incidents caused by these non type-approved equipment.
Under the existing TAS regulations, non type-approved cordless telephones and wireless surveillance video cameras operating in the GSM frequency bands are not licensed for use in Singapore. The possession of such unlicensed radio-communication equipment and the act of causing interference to the public cellular mobile telephone service contravenes TAS Act/Regulations. Users are therefore required to ensure that only type-approved equipment is connected to the public telecommunication network and non type-approved equipment is not used in their premises. TAS takes a serious view on the interference to existing telecommunication networks such as the GSM network and will take appropriate action against persons who sell or use such non type-approved equipment.
Telecommunication equipment meant for local use must be type-approved by TAS before sale. This is to ensure that the equipment is compatible to the public telecom network and does not cause radio interference. The type-approved equipment are affixed with "Approved by TAS" labels at the retail outlets. Equipment, which is not type-approved, is allowed to be imported for sale to tourists and for export. Dealers are required to segregate such equipment from the type-approved equipment and display a notice "FOR EXPORT ONLY - NOT APPROVED FOR LOCAL USE".
With the effect of the new regulations, TAS has required all telecommunication equipment dealers who possess such equipment to immediately remove them from their retail outlets and arrange to export the equipment within 30 days. Dealers who are found to display, sell or possess for sale such equipment can be prosecuted under the Telecommunication (Dealer) Regulations. The penalty is a fine of $5000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both. In addition, the police as well as TAS authorised officers have the power to seize the prohibited equipment. The dealer's licence may also be suspended or cancelled.
To cater for the large export market for non type-approved equipment, TAS will allow wholesalers to import and repackage the equipment for re-export/transhipment purposes. Such wholesalers must obtain a permit from TAS by registering full particulars of their wholesale export business and equipment prior to import. They will not be allowed to distribute, display or sell the equipment to any retailers/persons in Singapore.
Notes to Editor:
1. Examples of non type-approved equipment include cordless telephone models Panasonic KX-T9080BX, KX-T9280X, KX-T9280BX, KX-T9300FL, KX-T9300JT, KX-T9350BX, KX-T9380BX, KX-T9501BX, KX-T9511BX, KX-TC908BX, KX-TC918BX, KX-TC928BX, KX-TC930BX, KX-TC938BX, KX-TC930-W/B, KX-TCS971BXB, Senao SN525, Escort 9010/9020, Sony SPP-SS950 and wireless surveillance video camera models COP15-900, Progress PTC-201, Weston and Crime Watch.
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