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FCC Enforcement Bureau Equipment Compliance Advisory
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September 27, 2018
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an FCC Enforcement Advisory cautioning operators and
vendors of low-cost, two-way VHF/UHF radios that such devices may not be
imported, advertised or sold let alone used in the United States unless
they comply with FCC rules. The advisory comes in response to advocacy
work conducted by the Land Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) and the
Enterprise Wireless Alliance who have championed this issue for the past
year. We are pleased that the Enforcement Bureau has responded
definitively and forcefully.
EWA encourages all to be aware of the Advisory and to share this information. The Advisory
makes the key point that because “these devices have not been authorized
by the FCC, the devices may not be imported into the United States,
retailers may not advertise or sell them, and no one may use them.”
In addition, the Advisory notifies two-way radio users that:
- The
Enforcement Bureau has noticed the rise in sales of low-cost,
two-way VHF/UHF radios that do not comply with FCC rules.
- Some
of the radios can be modified to operate on channels for which the
user is not authorized and is not eligible.
- Some
radios are capable of prohibited wideband operations.
- Anyone
importing, advertising or selling noncompliant devices should stop.
- Anyone
owning such devices should not use them.
- Violators
may be subject to substantial monetary fines.
“This
Advisory serves as an important reminder to all who sell or use two-way
radios that observing the rules is critical to spectrum order and
efficiency,” said EWA President Mark Crosby. “
The Advisory states that violators “may be subject to penalties authorized
by the Communications Act, including, but not limited to, substantial
monetary fines (up to $19,639 per day. . . and up to $147,290 for an
ongoing violation).”
If you have questions regarding this FCC Enforcement Advisory and/or
concerns related to a proposed equipment purchase complying with FCC
rules, please call RCS Communications. 800-767-7384.
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Enterprise
Wireless Alliance Spectrum Advisor or call EWA at 800-482-8282.
