Hi, I'm thinking of creating a toy that would utilize the ISM band to send text messages. Point-to-point or point-to-multipoint, but without utilizing the cellular network, just ISM band transmission.
I wonder if there are any laws that make it forbidden or call for some special license in a given country.
I believe the answer is not that obvious. Of course many devices communicate with each other via open text messages sent over RF in the ISM band, and that's what this band is for, but there's a difference between a remote control asking the gate to "open up" and one user sending a text message to another one. I worry that it might be interpreted as creation of some telecommunication device that falls under some special laws/regulations.
I'm especially interested in the USA, Canadian, and European markets. Please let me know if you have any knowledge in this area.
Another question that arises is encyption. Since this will be just a toy, I believe the messages can be sent via open text. But let's assume I decide to encrypt them.
Again, encryption in sending control signals is ubiquituous, however encrypted text messages sent between users may be a different thing. A matter of national security, etc. ;-) And yes, I know, that cell phones do encrypt transmission as well, but they may fall under some specials laws, as telecommunication devices.
And isn't encryption forbidden e.g. in France, by the way?
Could you help me sort this out?