The Electronic Communications Office of Iceland is responsible for the administration and supervision of electronic communications, radio frequencies, telecommunications equipment, and communications-related security systems. Its oversight covers a wide range of activities, including maritime and aeronautical communications, telecommunications equipment used by the general public, frequency licences, satellite services, and amateur radio operations.
The Electronic Communications Office of Iceland supervises telecommunications equipment and ensures that only equipment meeting the essential requirements of telecommunications laws and regulations is placed on the market and used. For further information, see Chapter VII of the Electronic Communications Act No. 70/2022.
CE marking: a requirement for legal equipment
All wireless telecommunications equipment must comply with the essential requirements of telecommunications legislation and bear the CE marking in order to be used in Iceland.
Wireless telecommunications equipment that does not carry a CE marking is illegal, including transmitting equipment that may cause harmful interference.
The Electronic Communications Office of Iceland allocates radio frequencies and ensures that spectrum use complies with Icelandic regulations and international standards established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC).The monitoring covers, among other things:
mobile network frequencies (GSM, 3G, 4G and 5G),
frequencies used for maritime and aeronautical communications,
frequencies used for satellite services,
frequencies used by amateur radio operators,
frequency bands that are exempt from licensing requirements.
The Electronic Communications Office of Iceland conducts annual inspectionsof ships' telecommunications equipment and issues safety certificates.
Inspections cover:
fishing vessels,
passenger ships,
cargo ships operating within sea areas A1 to A4.
All telecommunications equipment installed on board an aircraft must be licensed by the Electronic Communications Office of Iceland.
Personnel responsible for telecommunications operations on aircraft must hold the appropriate qualifications.
The Electronic Communications Office of Iceland issues certificates for N licences and G licences and oversees compliance with the provisions of Regulation No. 348/2004.
Companies that wish to provide satellite services must register with the Electronic Communications Office of Iceland.
Earth stations require a licence and are subject to an annual licensing fee.
The Electronic Communications Office of Iceland receives complaints about radio interference and investigates its source. Interference may be caused by:
illegal or defective transmitting equipment,
outdated microwave antennas,
incorrect equipment settings,
equipment that does not comply with applicable regulations.
The Office may take corrective action, remove equipment from service, or prohibit its use if it causes harmful interference or compromises the security of electronic communications.
The Telecommunications Infrastructure Division is responsible for, among other things:
measuring the performance and quality of telecommunications networks,
responding to and investigating radio spectrum interference,
mapping and analysing telecommunications and related infrastructure,
supporting infrastructure development in cooperation with market operators and public authorities.
