Towerstream Agrees to Pay Reduced Fine to Settle Interference Complaints
Towerstream agreed to pay $25,000 to end of an investigation of whether it violated FCC rules by operating radio transmitters without a license, causing harmful interference to FAA Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) systems. Towerstream offers advanced, high-speed internet access…
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to businesses in multiple major markets using rooftop tower facilities, operating in U-NII spectrum in the 5 GHz band, the bureau said. “In 2009, the Enforcement Bureau began receiving complaints from FAA TDWR systems about interference caused by U-NII devices,” the bureau said. The bureau found Towerstream interfered with TDWR systems at Kennedy Airport in New York and in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, the consent decree said. In 2013, the bureau proposed a $202,000 penalty for the violations, the bureau said. Negotiations followed. “During those negotiations, Towerstream admitted for purposes of this investigation that operation of its U-NII transmission systems violated the Part 15 rules and Sections 301 and 333 of the Communications Act,” the bureau said. “Towerstream also presented financial information establishing its inability to pay the proposed forfeiture amount.” The bureau noted the FAA hadn't reported any additional interference to the systems in question. Towerstream didn't comment.