Stoof

i searched and found this old thread

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...cordless+phone

but i'm sure i've read something about how we're not allowed to 'import things that use radio frequencies, including cordless phones' in case they interfere with emergency service radios etc?

can anyone confirm?!

thanks!

cypherpunk

They should work fine and they use the same frequency band as the NZ cordless digital phones. Even the CLI (Caller ID) works. It is technically illegal to use phones without an NZ Telepermit though, see this page.

Mgee

Hi,

Don't use your phone without checking whether it complies with NZ regulations!

The phone can appear to work OK but it can still potentially disturb other radio equipment: there are certain regional differences between continents (UK is in ITU region 1, NZ in 3, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interna...n_Union_region ), thus the frequency allocations are different. This means that your phone could be using or disturbing a frequency that is not reserved for telephones. Just by using you phone, you cannot tell whether it disturbs other radio frequency operated devices (i.e. emergency services' radios, walkie-talkies, even remotely controlled garage doors!). See http://data.rsm.govt.nz/rfi/index.html

There are several different cordless phone types, and for example common DECT-type phones use different frequencies in UK and in NZ. If you cannot change the region settings for your phone, don't use it! Using wrong regional settings will cause radio disturbance to other equipment.

Example: if you use a DECT type cordless phone with UK settings in NZ; you may disturb the 3G mobile phone traffic! The frequency allocated for cordless phones in region 1 (UK) is allocated for 3G mobile phone traffic in region 3 (NZ). You'll end up getting a very pi**ed-off telephone company on your back if you disturb their traffic...

Both hubby and I are radio amateurs and we both work in the IT/mobile telecom industry, so I know what I'm preaching here . It is not uncommon for cordless phones imported from overseas to disturb the radio traffic. Usually everyone is lucky and it's only a minor nuisance, but occasionally using non-standard complying equipment can cause a major danger if it, for example, blocks emergy service radio traffic. Disturbing emergency equipment may cost lives. If this happens, you are liable for it. In the minor cases the illegal device is usually confiscated and you will face a minor fine (plus costs for the operation of tracking the illegal device), but in severe cases you might end up being prosecuted and in court. So please check the frequency issues VERY carefully before taking any imported RF operated equipment into use!

Mgee
-who doesn't want to sound too harsh, but thinks that people should be aware of the potential outcome of using wrong radio frequencies...

cypherpunk

No, they don't. DECT phones use 1880-1900MHz in both countries.

3G mobile in NZ is 850MHz, 900MHz, and 2.1GHz, miles away from DECT.

Mgee

Yes, you're right. Apparently, since 2001 the DECT has been the same in both countries. DECT seems to be the only corless phone type that may be accepted for use in NZ: "Cordless phones purchased in Australia, particularly those bearing the C-tick symbol,are likely to be acceptable for use in New Zealand. Cordless Phones purchased intended for other markets are most unlikely to be acceptable for use in New Zealand. Such phones usually operate at 49 MHz which can cause interference to Channel 1 television reception in many parts of New Zealand.

Some cordless phones operate in the 900 MHz band using Spread Spectrum technology, or in the 1880 – 1900 MHz band using DECT technology. Such phones are likely to be acceptable for use in New Zealand." (source http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/complianc...avellers-tips/)

My mistake -used outdated information for that particular example. However, everything above only applies to the DECT phones and even those need to be verified locally. Therefore my message still remains the same:

DO not EVER use RF equipment if you are not 100% that it is approved in that particular country. Doing that is not only illegal, it can also have severe consequences that most people are not aware of, e.g. baby monitors interfering with airplanes in extreme cases. See http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/complianc.../consumer-faqs
Find out about the regulations and ask the local authorities first. Also if, for example, your cordless phone is damaged during shipping, have it checked before you use it to make sure it works ok.

-Mgee

Stoof

thank you both for your comprehensive answers! we'll leave the phone here and buy a new one in nz to make sure!!