The BBC's TV detector vans are simply a form of psychological warfare

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The UK’s Information Commissioner, who’s been a very busy man/department recently, declined a freedom of information request to reveal how many TV license detector vans the BBC operates – because it might stop people believing they exist.

The shadowy fleet of TV-detecting vans is supposed to be able to pick up tell-tale signs that a TV’s being used inside a house, but the ICO ruled that revealing how many vans the BBC actually operates – and the technology they use – might undermine the level of threat they pose. And lead to us not bothering to pay our licence fees any more…

Ultra-Wideband technology given UK go-ahead by Ofcom

uwb-logo.jpgUltra Wideband (UWB) technology, which allows devices to communicate wirelessly at high speed over relatively short distances, has been given the go-ahead by Ofcom to be used unlicensed in the UK.

Normally, equipment which uses a part of the radio spectrum requires a license from Ofcom in order that any interference between different users can be managed. However, UWB technology has a low power output and shouldn’t interfere with other signals.