📻 OfReg announces amnesty for unlicensed mobile radios

The Cayman Islands' Office of Utilities Regulation (OfReg) is offering an amnesty to individuals, businesses, and other entities using professional land mobile radio devices that do not comply with the country's licensing legislation. The amnesty period will last until the end of the year. The move is aimed at addressing public health and safety concerns, as unlicensed radios can interfere with networks and essential radio-enabled services and devices, including pacemakers. 📡

OfReg officials have explained that the issue is mostly due to unintended consequences, with businesses such as construction and hospitality companies unknowingly importing handheld radio devices with pre-set frequencies that match those of existing radio-enabled services. Richard Womersley, OfReg Spectrum Manager, has urged anyone using these types of professional land radio devices to come forward and check if they require a license to operate them before the end of the year. 📞

Not all handheld radio devices require a license to use and operate, such as basic walkie-talkies, often referred to as 'Family Radio' devices. OfReg has recently made many of these basic radio devices exempt from licensing and said they are quite easily distinguishable from professional land mobile radios. The Land Mobile Radio Amnesty will run until the end of 2024. 🎙️