§ Mr. EnnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he plans to put in place to limit potential interference from broadband telecommunications systems, such as an asymmetric digital subscriber line; and if he will make a statement. [138155]
§ Ms HewittADSL technology will allow broadband data services into people's homes and offices over the local telephone network. It is an important technology in the development of the information society and328W e-commerce. However, because it operates at radio frequencies over cables which may become unbalanced and hence radiate, there is a risk of interference to medium wave broadcasting and to some aeronautical and other services. There is a difficult balance to strike as we want DSL and other similar broadband technologies to be deployable widely, but we cannot allow undue interference.
My Department has therefore been consulting over a standard to be put in place to limit interference from these technologies. Taking due account of the various representations—and they have been strong on all sides—we have decided to adopt the limits in the so-called February draft standard published by the Radiocommunications Agency (RA). I will be making Regulations to implement this standard in due course. Safety of life radio services will be protected as the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 allows immediate close down of interference sources where the Regulations are breached. Officials will also be putting in place a complaints procedure for domestic consumers experiencing broadcast interference from DSL. This procedure will be worked up in consultation with the Radio Authority, the BBC and the radio industry. The Director General for Telecommunications proposes to place an obligation on the operators of DSL systems to take all reasonable steps to remedy any interference caused.
The Government believe that this balanced package will provide a high level of protection to existing spectrum users while allowing deployment of new technology without undue constraint. We will undertake a review in two years—less if necessary—to assess whether the level in the standard has been appropriately set and to decide the timing of any future reviews. We will make the standard tougher if necessary. The review itself will cover the number of unresolved complaints. Further research is being undertaken by the RA on the cumulative effects of DSL as it rolls out and this will further inform our review.