TIA Worries FCC Pausing Gear OKs Affecting 5G; CTA Concerned; Rosenworcel Seeks Resumption
Concerns about the partial government closure's impact on FCC device approvals (see 1901040008) mounted Friday, a day before the impasse reached a record length (see 1901100020). Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel also expanded on her concerns about the hiatus' impact on device authorizations (see 1901080023), seeking an end to the shuttering. A wireless charger maker also complained of the delay (see 1901110023).
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Rosenworcel noted the closure comes "at a critical time, just as 5G services are getting out of the gate." New RF-emitting devices require certification before being sold in the U.S., she emailed us. "With the FCC closed for business, devices are not getting reviewed, a backlog is going to grow, and the rate at which new products can reach our markets will slow. It’s time to end this shutdown and re-open the equipment authorization system.”
The Telecommunications Industry Association worries the FCC having run out of funding Jan. 3 and closing its approval process is affecting 5G rollout. It "will have a serious and negative impact on the approval of new connected devices that are designed to enable both 5G deployment and the full ecosystem of next generation technologies that 5G will support," said TIA Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Cinnamon Rogers. She asked the commission to leave open the gear approval system during a shutdown, "just as it has left open several other systems currently accessible through its website" (see 1901020048). Spectrum tech consultant Michael Marcus seeks similar.
CTA President Gary Shapiro, noting OKs of new electronic devices are halted, said "the shutdown is hurting our innovation economy." New broadcast and wireless licenses aren't being issued, he said in a statement: "We urge all political leaders to put their nation above their party and compromise to end the shutdown.”
Marcus is puzzled "why so many parts of FCC websites are down," he responded to our tweet about TIA's request: While the Coast Guard "has the same budget shutdown as @FCC, I was just able to renew my boat documentation/registration on their website!" He cited his list of FCC systems on- and offline. Though it's unclear if the commission has authority to issue licenses during its shuttering, it doesn't appear anything is stopping it from accepting applications, Marcus told us. "Applications require no human intervention by FCC staff," he said: "Particularly when the experimental ones are really complex," they can't be submitted immediately once the agency reopens if the system remains down until then.
The FCC declined to comment. 5G Americas has no position on TIA's request, President Chris Pearson told us. The Competitive Carriers Association and CTIA declined to comment.