The use of radiocommunications equipment (such as walkie-talkies, remote controls, wireless microphones and cordless phones) which does not meet the technical specifications prescribed by the Communications Authority (CA) may cause radio interference and affect other legitimate radiocommunications equipment users. As a matter of fact, the possession or use of radiocommunications equipment which does not meet the technical specifications prescribed by CA constitutes a breach of law. The equipment concerned may be confiscated, and the offender may be liable to prosecution. As such, when buying radiocommunications equipment, members of the public should take note of the following:

• While travelling outside Hong Kong, they should avoid purchasing radiocommunications equipment and bringing them back for use in Hong Kong unless they are certain that the relevant equipment conform to the technical specifications prescribed by CA. For instance, the cordless phones commonly used in North America may not conform to the technical specifications in force in Hong Kong and they are likely to generate harmful interference.
• For local purchase, consumers are advised to buy equipment which bears the CA label. Only those certified products meeting the specifications prescribed by CA are authorized to carry the CA labels. However, the labelling of radiocommunications equipment is not a compulsory requirement in Hong Kong and that some equipment meeting the prescribed technical specifications may not bear the CA label. To be on the safe side, consumers should look for products which bear the CA labels. Consumers may also wish to check with the list of certified radiocommunications equipment available at OFCA's website at http://www.ofca.gov.hk.
  
• For products which do not bear the CA labels, consumers should check with the radio dealers to see whether the equipment is in compliance with the technical specifications prescribed by CA and may therefore be used legally in Hong Kong.

If consumers would like to ascertain whether or not the radiocommunications equipment they have purchased or intend to purchase comply with the technical specifications of CA, they may call OFCA's hotline at 2961 6333 or )