Jamming Devices a No-No
The Commission has issued twenty enforcement actions against online retailers for the marketing of various jamming devices such as cell phone, GPS and Wi-Fi jammers which have the potential to “prevent, block, or otherwise interfere with authorized radio communications’ in violation of the Commission’s rules. These FCC enforcement actions serve as a warning to retailers and purchasers that the marketing, selling and use of such devices are illegal and that the Commission “will not tolerate continued violations of federal law.” In the Citation and Order issued, the Commission asked the retailers to take corrective action to cease the marketing of signal jamming devices and emphasized that a second violation could lead to fines of $16,000 - $112,500. FCC News
Wireless Solutions Center Launched
The highly anticipated Enterprise Wireless Solutions Center® was officially launched last week at the Enterprise Wireless 2011 Leadership Summit. This new and innovative EWA service has been developed to assist business enterprise, government, and public safety organizations to identify and learn more about wireless solution services and products. Also available is information about professional wireless sales and service providers who are in a position to sell, install, and maintain wireless systems. For organizations without time or resources to do their own research, they will have access to EWA’s Wireless Advisory Services through the Solutions Center site. This service will bring together technology assessments, financial analyses, and RFI/RFP preparation and evaluation assistance. Headlined “Find the Solution to your Wireless Needs”, the site provides visitors two choices: “Find a Solution” allows for a full search of white papers, case studies, and other educational material about asset tracking, remote monitoring, security, voice system, and a dozen other technologies; and “Need Help?” offers a shortcut directly to EWA solution experts who may conduct product investigation and formal vendor solicitation services.
Solution vendors and technology manufacturers interested in participating or learning more are encouraged to visit the site or are welcome to contact EWA’s Eric Hill, 703-797-5107.
FCC Clarifies TETRA Waiver
In an Order on Clarification, the FCC attempted a reasonably good effort to respond to EWA’s request for clarification regarding earlier released FCC statements that frequency coordination was not needed by licensees if they were to convert their systems to TETRA technology. In this second Order, the Commission explained that the relief granted in the Waiver was not intended to be broader than the exemption applicable to narrowband conversion. However, the “clarification” then went on to state that coordination, therefore, was not required when the only change was to the emission bandwidth. Of course, the narrowband exemption applies only when the bandwidth is reduced, which does not seem to be the FCC’s intention here since the example provided in the clarification evidenced an increase in the authorized bandwidth. EWA will be filing a further request for clarification in the near future.
The FCC also noted in its Order on Clarification that its prior statement that it would approve the use of TETRA technology in the 800 MHz ESMR band from 862-869 MHz was not intended to and did not authorize TETRA operations in the original NPSPAC portion of that band (866-869 MHz).
Category: In the news