The Land Mobile Communications Council has asked for a meeting with the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau “for the purpose of identifying public relations, educational, enforcement and other potential activities that will serve to address the wide-spread use of non-rule compliant wireless devices, whose access, illegal use and distribution has reached epidemic proportions.”
In a letter yesterday to Rosemary Harold, chief of the Enforcement Bureau, LMCC said it suspects “that the Enforcement Bureau is fully aware of this problem which has affected both Public Safety and Business/Industrial wireless sectors. Devices produced in Asia by multiple manufacturers are often sold through the internet, including Amazon, as well as from retail outlets. The accompanying materials note, at most, that the devices have received FCC type-acceptance for use under Part 15 of the rules for amateur operations. In fact, the devices are marketed for use by any entity, for any purpose, complete with programming instructions for operation on any channel from 136-174 MHz and 400-520 MHz without regard or critical information relating to Federal and non-Federal spectrum allocations, user eligibility or licensing requirements.
“This presents serious risk of harmful interference to Federal systems and FCC-compliant systems operated by Public Safety and Business/Industrial licensees,” the filing added. “It also has significant economic consequences and creates competitive disadvantages that affect manufacturers and their partners who produce and distribute wireless products in full compliance with the Commission’s and NTIA’s operational and technical rules.”
LMCC added that “[i]n advance of the meeting, we are prepared to provide information about improper deployments, product descriptions, FCC-certifications, testimonials, and other materials that will assist the Enforcement Bureau in addressing this urgent matter. The LMCC membership is also prepared to work collaboratively with the Enforcement Bureau, at its request, to help facilitate a meaningful resolution.” —Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com
Courtesy TRDaily