UK, ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted

UK, ban on MP3 transmitters is lifted

Britain has decided to alter the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949 that originally banned FM transmitters in cars because their use constituted operating radio equipment without a license as their transmissions can interfere with broadcasts by legal radio stations. UK is now legalizing the use of FM transmitters that allow iPods and other MP3 players to play through car radios.

A new amendment has been passed which will allow the use of FM transmitters, which can be tuned to spare frequencies to be legal from 8th December. These include transmitters like the Griffin iTrip which seems to be the most popular one of its kind. The new approach was hastened by a British consumer market demanding use of their iPods while driving. However not all transmitters will be approved for use and the ones which are will carry a CE mark.

Below - Griffin iTrip £39 Tiny FM transmitter plug sends your music over the airwaves to a radio tuned to the same frequency - so you can use on your car stereo.

However, UK is a very densely populated place, which means that spare stations on which these transmitters can operate might be hard to come by to begin with. Also FM spectrums are clogged with pirate stations so much so that many of the commercial stations are un-listenable (especially if you are on the move).

All things considered, many motorists have welcomed the lifting of the ban...but to what length this will benefit the motorists when it comes to usage on the field will be clear after the 8th of December.

Source

November 29, 2006 - 7:54 AM | Posted in - Others