A fully-fledged technical investigation that is triggered by a complaint.
The ANFR takes action when victims report interference using a form specific to the type of complainant:
- A request for an interference investigation in the case of interference impacting a radio station belonging to an assigning authority, the user of a professional mobile network (PMR) or the amateur radio service. This form can be submitted to the National Centralising Agency (BCN) if the impacted frequency has been declared to the National Frequency File and, for the Amateur radio service, if the station and frequency bands have been declared.
This form should also be filled out by professionals in the event of proven interference with DTT satellite service reception by microwave radio systems in the 10.7-11.7 GHz band; - A request for action if the interference impacts a station on a network open to the public such as a mobile operator network using frequencies authorised by the ARCEP (AUF).
- A request for an interference investigation, if the interference impacts low-power, short-range radio equipment of which the frequencies, as indicated in appendix 7 of the national frequency band assignment table, are generally so-called "free" frequencies, i.e. not requiring individual authorisations, but nevertheless subject to general authorisation and compliance with technical conditions designed to avoid any adverse interference;
- A GNSS (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, etc.) interference report for victims who are not assigned these frequencies;
- An express request from a neighbouring country using an AP10 "Report of harmful interference” repor
All other cases can be reported using the "Contact" link on the ANFR website www.anfr.fr, such as the unauthorised use of a GNSS (Galileo, GPS), mobile telephone and/or WiFi jammer or an unauthorised multi-operator repeater on a specific site.
Interference reported by frequency assignment bodies
Designated entities can submit their requests to one of the following departments:
- The ANFR National Centralising Office (NCB);
- the regional service (SR) in charge of locating the impacted equipment (in French overseas territories, the ANFR's local branches are the entry points);
- the International Control Centre (ICC), which is more specifically in charge of dealing with international interference in the HF band using its static resources;
Before filling in the request form, the user impacted by the disruption must make sure their own equipment is not the cause. They will provide the Agency the results of all the measurements and analyses carried out on the site impacted by the disturbance.
It should be noted that, apart from requests for action for the general authorisation frequencies known as "free" frequencies, or for GNSS interference reports impacting entities that do not assign those frequencies, the impacted station must have been authorised by the Agency and the frequency duly assigned for the request for action to be taken into account. However, when defence, security or navigation services are involved, the admissibility is immediate, bearing in mind that, if necessary, compliance may be requested.
Dealing with such reported interference is carried out in the field by ANFR employees equipped with sophisticated equipment to search for, identify, and locate the origin of the interference.
In certain situations, a detection system is installed at a relevant site for the time required to characterise the interference.
Once the equipment and the person causing the interference have been identified, the ANFR provides recommendations to stop the interference.
The ANFR can issue a ticket and forward it to the Public Prosecutor if it wants the case to be prosecuted.
If necessary, ANFR officers can call on the support of a police officer to assist them in their investigations, for example to have illegal radio equipment seized.
With the authorisation of the President of the relevant courts, officers may also carry out seizures themselves.
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