FCC Seeks Comment on Consumer Signal Boosters

Last week, the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau released a Public Notice seeking comment on the current state of consumer signal boosters. As the name implies, Consumer Signal Boosters are used to boost reception of commercial wireless services. The Bureau asks about the performance of new consumer signal boosters, whether additional safeguards are necessary, the effectiveness of the registration systems established by wireless providers and related enforcement efforts. Comments and Reply Comments are due March 30 and April 14, 2016 respectively.

The FCC has started distributing wideband removal reminder emails to licensees with Call Signs that still list wideband emissions. Moving forward, all applications submitted to the FCC that are associated with licenses with wideband emissions will be dismissed or returned automatically. If your station does not meet the FCC’s spectrum efficiency standard and does not list a narrowband emission, an application is required.

CVAA Certifications

Last week the FCC issued a reminder to service providers and equipment manufacturers subject to Section 255, 716, and 717 of the Communications Act of their obligation to maintain records of the efforts taken to implement accessibility requirements for disabled individuals.  The Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) established requirements for certain providers and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment not only to ensure accessibility for users with disabilities, but also that providers and manufacturers maintain records of their efforts to do so.  Annual recordkeeping certifications are required by April 1, 2016.