The National Spectrum Monitoring department (NCS)
Radio interference can disrupt and render impossible the proper operation of transmitters and/or receivers.
What may cause radio interference ?
The interference can be caused by other (possibly clandestine) radio users, but also by electric equipment such as :
- home appliances : washing machine, drill, baby alarms;
- lift installations, central heating pump, thermostat (of a boiler, for instance);
- electric toys;
- computers, wireless headphones,..
- strip lights, dimmers,
- medical, industrial and scientific equipment.
For what kind of interference can I contact the NCS ?
- interference disrupting the radio communications of companies, police services, emergency services, radio amateurs, CB enthusiasts, remote controls of scale models, ...
- to examine the cause of interference in the reception of radio and TV broadcasts;
- interference on maritime and aviation radio communications;
- all types of interference experienced in radio equipment (baby alarm, remote control of garage door, ...)
What about telephone interferences ?
Interference occurring in telephones should first be reported to your telephone operator. In case of external radiation coming from an authorised broadcasting station the operator can install a filter in the equipment to eliminate the interference.
Only if the interference is coming from illegal broadcasts the NCS is allowed to intervene.
How can I report a case of interference ?
Cases of interference can be reported by post, telephone, fax or e-mail. It is also possible to use the report form. You can also find on this page the full address of the NCS.
I am experiencing interference due to broadcasts of a local or regional broadcasting station. Can I contact BIPT for this ?
Broadcasting is within the competence of the Communities. Mutual interference between radio broadcasting stations and interference caused by them can be reported to the Ministry of the Flemish Community, Flemish Media Authority (Vlaams Commissariaat voor de Media), North Plaza B, Koning Albert II-laan, 1210 Brussels (telephone: +32 2 553 45 04). You can also visit the Flemish Community’s website http://www.vlaanderen.be/media. You may also contact the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel de la Communauté française, 13, Boulevard de l'Impératrice, 1000 Bruxelles (Tel : +32 2 349 58 80, fax : +32 2 349 58 97, info@csa.be). You can also visit their website http://www.csa.be/
However, the Communities can request BIPT to conduct specific technical controls.
Organisation of the NCS
Management and the administrative departments are housed at BIPT headquarters in the Ellipse Building - Building C, Boulevard du Roi Albert II 35, 1030 Brussels.
Inspections in the field are conducted by five technical centres, spread across the country. Those centres are located in Liège, Seneffe, Anderlecht, Ghent and Antwerp. NCS employs a total of 50 highly specialised technicians. All departments are outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment.
In order to be able to take measures immediately when the radio legislation is broken, the NCS technicians have the power of a CID officer. Their powers are laid down in the Act of 17 January 2003 on the status of BIPT.