Tag Archives: FederalCommunicationsCommission

AT&T says competitors launched WiFi calling without FCC clearance

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While Sprint and T-Mobile have already flipped the switch on WiFi calling for the iPhone, AT&T continues to wait it out on the sidelines. And now we may know why. As reported by The Verge, the carrier recently sent a letter to FCC chairman Tom...

FCC aims to fine five wireless carriers $14 million for Lifeline program violations

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FCC aims to fine five wireless carriers $14 million for Lifeline program violations

Government shutdown or not, the Federal Communications Commission announced a proposal to fine five cellular service providers a total of $14.4 million for violating the rules of its Lifeline phone subsidy program. In case your memory needs to be jogged, Lifeline allows economically disadvantaged people to get subsidized cellphone service through carriers. Assist Wireless, Easy Wireless, Icon Telecom, TracFone Wireless and UTPhone are all in Uncle Sam's crosshairs for allegedly giving multiple subsidized accounts to folks who should have only received one through the program. This development comes after the commission's revelation that 41 percent of last year's subsidies didn't go through the appropriate verification process. The FCC's sanctions don't stop at the multi-million dollar penalty either. If the federal body gets its way, cash collected through duplicate accounts will have to be returned by offending companies.

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Via: The Verge

Source: The Hill

Did the unannounced LG Optimus L9 II just sneak past the FCC?

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Did LG's Optimus L9 II just sneak past the FCC

We've heard not a peep about a potential successor to LG's Optimus L9 since a couple of pics popped up on @evleaks at the beginning of June. The Optimus L9 II -- or just L9 II if recent naming conventions apply -- remains unannounced, but we've reason to believe it's just broken cover at the FCC. A device going by the codename LG-D605 passed certification today, and although we can't be sure it's the L9 II, that model number has previously been linked to the handset, if only in a mysterious GFXBench result. No LTE bands were tested, and a mention of FeliCa NFC technology means this particular variant is almost certainly intended for the Japanese market. Beyond confirmation of a removable battery, there's nothing else to glean from the filing, but it could indicate that the G2 won't be LG's newest new phone much longer.

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Source: FCC

FCC clears the way for unification of Sprint, Softbank and Clearwire

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As expected and predicted, today the Federal Communications Commission approved the merger of American mobile company Sprint with Japanese mobile giant Softbank and broadband service company Clearwire. In its conclusion, the FCC writes, "approval of the proposed transactions, subject to the conditions set forth herein, is in the public interest." This comes just a week after Sprint shareholders gave the thumbs up for proceedings to go forward, and a few weeks after the US Department of Justice did the same. Further, the conclusion goes on to say that the deal has "public interest benefits that likely would result from the proposed transaction, and thus we conclude that the transaction is in the public interest."

The tri-company transaction is through the wringer of governmental bureaucracy, but still has to receive approval from Clearwire's shareholders; that decision is expected on July 8th, and its board of directors have reportedly recommended approval.

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Source: FCC, Sprint

FCC chairman nominee Tom Wheeler comes out in favor of legalized phone unlocking

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He was nominated to replace Julius Genachowski as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission a mere six weeks ago, and before he's even got the job, Tom Wheeler's making headlines. Ars Technica reports that would-be chairman Wheeler wants what many (all?) cell phone owners want -- the ability to unlock our phones free from fear of legal retribution. The way he sees things, when folks have bought and paid for their phones and are contract-free, they "ought to have the right to use the device and move it across carriers." Unfortunately, while he's staked out his position on the matter, he has yet to say exactly how he plans to make phone unlocking legal, be it through legislation or other means. The good news is, he's not the boss just yet, so he's got time to address those niggling details while he waits to be confirmed as the new chairman.

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Source: Ars Technica

FCC confident in its mobile phone radiation limits, seeks second opinions

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FCC confident in its mobile phone radiation limits, seeks second opinions

Cast your memory back to last summer. Sweep away memories of iPhone 5 leaks galore, and you might remember that the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) asked the FCC to reevaluate its radiation limits for mobile phones. Now a few seasons later, the FCC has finally wrapped up a report that responds to the GAO, and there are no changes to its RF radiation levels in sight because it feels comfortable with its current caps. "We continue to have confidence in the current exposure limits, and note that more recent international standards have a similar basis," reads the report. However, given that its guidelines were adopted in 1996, new research on radiation and the proliferation of mobile devices, the FCC would like some feedback regarding its restrictions. It's put out a call for comments from concerned parties and even federal health and safety bodies.

Though the freshly-released document didn't rock the proverbial boat, it made one change worth noting. The pinna (outer ear) is now classified an extremity, which means the FCC allows devices to hit the tissue with more radiation. Feel like poring through 201 pages of regulatory minutiae? Click the source link below for the commission's full dossier.

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Via: The Verge

Source: FCC

Live from CES: Gary Shapiro chats with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski

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Ever wanted to know more about the inner workings of the FCC? You're in luck, because CEA head honcho Gary Shapiro is sitting down with the man in charge at the FCC, Chairman Julius Genachowski at CES this year to chat about his time with the Commission. Naturally, they'll be talking about broadband, spectrum reform and other hot telco topics, but we're just hoping to hear how the Chairman will rid us of the terrible 10,000 feet. Will he give us any such good news? There's only one way to find out -- stick around as we'll bring their conversation to you live, right here.

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Mysterious ASUS P1801-T visits the FCC, might be the finished Transformer AiO (updated)

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Mysterious ASUS P1801-T visits the FCC, might be the finished Transformer AiO

The FCC sometimes gets a peek at hardware and reveals nothing but a model number to hint at what's passed through its labyrinth. The latest filing leaving us scratching our heads is for the ASUS P1801-T, a "tablet" which could be the final version of the Transformer AiO prototype we saw back at Computex. How did we arrive at the AiO? Well, the model number is a possible clue -- ASUS' Eee Slate B121 has a 12.1-inch panel, so P1801-T may point to this device having 18 inches of screen. As ASUS' dual-OS prototype all-in-one is the only (sort of) tablet we've seen with roughly that many inches, we assume the company is getting paperwork done before a proper launch at CES 2013. A "P1801" running Android 4.1.1 has also popped up at GLBenchmark, with Tegra3 graphics, a 1,920 x 1080 graphics and a Cortex-A9 CPU inside. If ASUS is keeping two OS's as per the AiO prototype, that processor caters for only one Microsoft product -- Windows RT. We'll just be kept wondering until we hear something official, but at least for us, an 18-inch Android / RT super-tablet and part-time desktop sounds like it could be a hard sell.

Update: We noticed that the original PR from Computex 2012 stated that the tablet portion could also "become a wireless display for the AiO PC," which could mean that the base unit is full-fledged Windows 8 machine with x86 hardware, making it a much more tempting idea.

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Source: FCC, GLBenchmark

Unknown Bluetooth Matias keyboard pops up at the FCC, is probably the quiet type

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Unknown Bluetooth Matias keyboard pops up at the FCC, is probably the quiet type

We're always keen to peek at Matias peripherals when it's got new ones to share, but this time the introduction comes via the FCC, which appears to have tested and deconstructed an as-yet unannounced keyboard. This reduced model lacks a numpad -- apart from the page up and down keys -- and if the color scheme and command / option keys weren't clear enough hints, the draft user manual within the filing confirms it's meant for Macs. While it connects via Bluetooth, there's a trio of USB ports around the top edge for plugging in a mouse, charging the internal battery, or juicing other hardware. Matias' Quiet Pro mechanical offering bears the model number FK302Q, so we have good reason to assume this new keyboard is a mini variant, given it's known as the FK303QBT in the FCC's docs (Q for Quiet, BT for Bluetooth). As it's been OK'd by the US regulators, we expect an official reveal of the keyboard, alongside a PC-targeted sibling, pretty soon.

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Source: FCC

FCC gives Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE edition the nod, US LTE not included

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FCC gives Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 LTE edition the nod, forgets the LTE part

South Koreans were given preferential treatment again last month, as Samsung released the LTE variant of the Galaxy Note 10.1 in its native land. It looks like this period of exclusive access will soon end, however, as the 4G-equipped version of the slate has dropped by the FCC to pick up a round of approvals. Codenamed SHV-E230S and showing a global (read: non-US) LTE logo on the back panel, the US regulator cleared WiFi, Bluetooth, GSM and WCDMA (3G) connectivity options. Given the absence of US LTE radios and the non-US model number, it's quite likely that this is just another variant of the Korean version. Unfortunately, this means there isn't much time for it to launch stateside if it wants a spot under indoor evergreens, so don't get those hopes up.

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Via: Wireless Goodness

Source: FCC