5.8 ghz cordless phone system/Linksys Wireless N

Will I be able to Legally use my 5.8 ghz cordless phone system and Linksys Wireless N Router, etc. in england with the correct adapters? Thanks for any and all advice! Me

The issue of allowable channels, power levels, and other parameters in the 2.4 & 5.8GHz bands has become quite complex. 

In basic terms though, strictly speaking the equipment will be fully legal to use in the U.K. only if (a) it has a configuration setting for the U.K. which sets the appropriate parameters for channels, transmit power, etc. and (b) it has the appropriate CE/European approval certification. 

Thanks Paul.

I'm confused.. We are moving in September (USA to UK) and currently have a Wireless N Router.  Why would we not legally be allowed to use this?  What would be the reason they would not want us to use this in the UK?

 Is there a router police that come around and do spot checks?   

I'm not familiar with this particular model of wireless router, but the regulatory issues are over things like the allowable channels and the maximum power which is permitted on each of those channels.   Although both the U.S. and the U.K. have allocations in the 2.4 & 5.8GHz bands, the precise channel allocations and power limits are not the same.  That's why routers sold into multiple markets around the world have country settings so that they can be configured to use the licensed channels and in the place concerned.

At the low power levels involved, the chances of causing problems are slim, and the chances of falling foul of the authorities are remote, but strictly speaking it is illegal to use any radio transmitting device in the U.K. which is either operating outside the specified parameters or which does not have the mandated approvals.  Again, routers and other similar devices which have the range of international settings will usually have been granted the matching approvals too.

Here is the exact Router that we have.. does anybody see anything Illegal about using it in the UK?   

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?c=L_Product_C2&childpagename=US%2FLayout&cid=1175236661542&pagename=Linksys%2FCommon%2FVisitorWrapper&lid=6154239789B02

USER GUIDE

http://www.linksys.com/servlet/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobheadername1=Content-Type&blobheadername2=Content-Disposition&blobheadervalue1=application%2Fpdf&blobheadervalue2=inline%3B+filename%3DWRT300N_ug.pdf&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1193768681189&ssbinary=true&lid=6060361542B05

It is very unlikely that equipment imported from the US will meet UK specifications.

A quick scan through the user manual suggests that it is the same model sold over here, and has the appropriate approvals.  I can't see any configuration options for country-specific settings though.  It could be that the router uses only channels/powers which are allowable everywhere, or it could be that they are set in the firmware, so to adapt to U.K. configuration you would need to do a download/flash replacement of the firmware.

If it's something which worries you, the best thing to do is to contact LinkSys technical support, giving the exact model and serial number, explaining that it's a U.S. model and asking if/how it can be configured for U.K. wireless settings.

Thanks Paul_1966.. I'll go write up an E-Mail to send to them now.  When I finally find out I'll post the answer here for anybody that might also be wondering!   

Did you ever hear back from Linksys?

I suggest leaving the router in the States.  Most broadband providers here give you a wireless router for free (BT's latest is an 80211N-spec router, judging from their commercials).

Most broadband providers here give you a wireless router for free

Just be aware that quite a few of those routers supplied as part of a package appear to be a regular "Brand X" router, but actually have customized firmware to lock them to the particular ISP.