The Security Minister has today given a direction to Ofcom to
ensure our security and intelligence agencies, law enforcement
and other emergency services have access to the information they
need to keep the public safe.
The direction, made under section 5 of the
Communications Act 2003, requires that commercial multi-user
gateways may only be licensed where the supplier can demonstrate
that callers can be identified.
Commercial multi-user gateways use SIM cards to allow calls made
through them to be routed through different operators. 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 a fixed line.
The move comes after Ofcom announced in July
that, following a public consultation, it had concluded that it
was required to exempt the devices from current licensing
requirements under section 8(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act
2006.
Ofcom set out that the legislation prevented them from being able
to take into account national security concerns.
Under the Communications Act 2003, Ministers can give a direction
about communications networks on national security grounds.
The Security Minister’s direction ensures any new regulations
enabling the use of such devices will continue to protect
national security.
This means that law enforcement, the security and intelligence
agencies and emergency services can maintain vital capabilities
to investigate suspected terrorists and criminals.
Signing the direction to
Ofcom (PDF, 180KB, 1
page) , Security Minister said:
The first duty of Government is to protect the public.
This direction is necessary to ensure that those charged with
keeping families and communities safe have access to relevant
and accurate information when they need it and when they have
the appropriate authorisations in order to do their job.
The Home Office set out concerns that the use of these devices
could endanger life in its response to
Ofcom’s consultation.
The direction does not seek to ban the use of the technology but
ensures that when operated, it will not affect the ability of the
security and intelligence agencies, law enforcement and other
emergency services to investigate terrorism and serious crime, as
well as to identify and locate people at risk of harm.
