January 23, 2019
In 2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
issued an Enforcement Advisory cautioning against the
use, sale, and importation or marketing of low-cost, two-way VHF/UHF
radios that do not comply with FCC rules.
The advisory came in response to advocacy work conducted by the Land
Mobile Communications Council (LMCC) and the Enterprise Wireless Alliance
(EWA). While EWA is pleased that the FCC has issued the Advisory, the
next step is enforcement of it. EWA seeks
the support of licensed radio users and wireless sales and service
providers to assist with the enforcement of violations of these rules.
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 wide band operations.
- Anyone
importing, advertising or selling non-compliant devices should stop.
- Anyone
owning such devices should not use them.
- Violators
may be subject to substantial monetary fines.
Complying with FCC
rules is crucial to maintaining order and the efficient use of spectrum,
specifically, protecting against interference from unauthorized radio
use. 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 are aware of any individual or organization that is
using illegal, non-compliant equipment or are aware of a company marketing
such devices for sale, please contact EWA Communications Director Andrea Cumpston at 703-797-5111 or andrea.cumpston@enterprisewireless.org.
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