LegalNotes » History » Revision 13
Revision 12 (Anonymous, 02/19/2016 10:48 PM) → Revision 13/23 (laforge, 02/20/2016 07:32 PM)
h1. Legal Notes h2. Licensed GSM Spectrum GSM operates in *licensed frequency spectrum*, i.e. the license to operate equipment on the GSM bands is granted (typically sold/auctioned) to commercial entities. This is _very different_ from technologies like Bluetooth or [[WiFi]] operating in the 2.4GHz unlicensed ISM band. As a result, you cannot operate any GSM RF equipment (like the [[BS11|BS-11]] or any other BTS) unless you have obtained a proper license from the regulatory authority in your country. Accomplishing to operate a BTS without having such a license is subject to punishment according to the respective laws in your country. Apart from the legal aspects, there also are practical aspects. If you operate on a channel (ARFCN) that is already used by a GSM operator, you will likely create interference with the production network. *Please don't do this!* It is illegal and disruptive, and not related to what this project is trying to achieve. Interfering with a public telecommunications network, intentionally or unintentionally, is a crime in most countries and punishable under applicable law! h3. Regulatory authorities for GSM licensing * Austria http://www.rtr.at * Belgium http://ibpt.be/ For testing, the authorization category 1b and 6 are relevant. The GSM900 band is fully licensed to commercial operators, so only ARFCN in the 1800 band will be allocated. * Germany: http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/ * Netherlands: http://www.agentschap-telecom.nl/ * Sweden: http://www.pts.se/en-gb/ * Switzerland: http://www.bakom.admin.ch/ * United Kingdom: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/ h2. GSM Related Patents [[OpenBSC]] is Open Source software for research purpose, not a product that is used commercially. The development is done by volunteers who want to learn more about GSM and who want to encourage others to experiment with it. As such, [[OpenBSC]] does not come with patent licenses of any sort. It is well known that mobile telephony and GSM specifically is a patent minefield. Some of those patents relating to voice codecs and the Um air interface are already licensed by the BTS manufacturer. Other patents might apply directly to what [[OpenBSC]] is doing. If you are using [[OpenBSC]] in a commercial setting, it is your responsibility to properly license all applicable patents from their respective holders. The ETSI maintains a list of _essential patents_ that apply to GSM.
