December 19, 2016

Ofcom is inviting comments on whether the use of commercial multi-user “gateway” devices, known as COMUGs, meets the requirements for licence exemption set out in the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006.

Ofcom explains that a gateway device uses SIM cards created and issued by a mobile network operator (MNO). This allows the device to originate calls on the MNO’s network.

Calls made using these devices from fixed lines to mobiles are treated by the recipient’s network as if they were made by a mobile phone, rather than made from the fixed line phone. Gateways have typically been used in this way to try to reduce the cost of making fixed-to-mobile calls.

The use of COMUGs is currently illegal in the UK without the grant of a licence by Ofcom. It is consulting on whether it would be appropriate to make regulations exempting these devices from the requirement to obtain a licence under s 8(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006.

The closing date for responses is 10 February 2017. To access the consultation, click here.