[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55648-55649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22121]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Parts 1, 20, 22, 24, 27, and 90
[WT Docket No. 10-4; FCC 13-21]
Signal Booster Rules
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Final rule; announcement of effective date.
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SUMMARY: In this document, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
has approved, for a period of three years, the information collections
associated with the Commission's rules to improve wireless coverage
through the use of signal boosters. This notice is consistent with the
Report and Order, which stated that the Commission would publish a
document in the Federal Register announcing the effective date of those
rules.
DATES: The amendments to Sec. Sec. 1.1307(b)(1), 20.3,20.21(a)(2),
20.21(a)(5), 20.21(e)(2), 20.21(e)(8)(i)(G), 20.21(e)(9)(i)(H),
20.21(f), 20.21(h), 22.9, 24.9, 27.9, 90.203(q), 90.219(b)(1)(i),
90.219(d)(5), and 90.219(e)(5), published at 78 FR 21555, April 11,
2013, are effective September 11, 2013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information, please
contact Joyce Jones, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau, at (202) 418-1327, or email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This document announces that, on August 21,
2013, OMB approved, for a period of three years, the new information
collection requirements contained in the Commission's Report and Order,
FCC 13-21, and released on February 20, 2013, in WT Docket No. 10-4,
regarding Signal Boosters.
Synopsis
As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
3507), the Commission is notifying the public that it received OMB
approval on August 21, 2013, for the information collection
requirements contained in the modifications to the Commission's rules
in 47 CFR parts 1, 20, 22, 24, 27, and 90. Under 5 CFR part 1320, an
agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control number
is 3060-1189. The foregoing notice is required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13, October 1, 1995, and 44
U.S.C. 3507.
The total annual reporting burdens and costs for the respondents
are as follows:
OMB Control Number: 3060-1189.
OMB Approval Date: August 21, 2013.
Expiration Date: August 31, 2016.
Title: Sections 1.1307(a), 20.3, 20.21(a)(2), 20.21(a)(5),
20.21(e)(2), 20.21(e)(8)(i)(G), 20.21(e)(9)(i)(H),20.21(f), 20.21(h),
90.203, 90.219(b)(1)(i), 90.219(d)(5) and 90.219(e)(5) of the
Commission's rules concerning Signal Boosters.
Form No.: Not applicable.
Number of Respondents/Responses: 634,595.
Estimated Time per Response: .5 to 40 hours.
Total Annual Burden: 324,370 hours.
Total Annual Cost: $232,986.
Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
Statutory authority for this collection of information is contained in
Sections 4(i), 303(g), 303(r), and 332(a) of the Communications Act of
1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 154(i), 303(g), 303(r), 332(a).
Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is a need for
confidentiality with respect to individuals who register with their
wireless carriers. Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 222(h)(1)(A) and part 64 of
the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 64.2001 et.seq., telecommunications
carriers are required to protect Customer Proprietary Network
Information (CPNI).
Privacy Act: The information collection associated with the
registration requirement contained in Section 20.21(a)(2) of the
Commission's rules affects individuals or households; thus, there are
impacts under the Privacy Act. However, the government is not directly
collecting this information and the R&O directs carriers to protect the
information to the extent it is considered CPNI.
Needs and Uses
Provider Reporting Requirement: In order to facilitate review of
wireless providers' behavior regarding Consumer Signal Boosters, the
R&O requires that on March 1, 2015, and March 1, 2016, all nationwide
wireless providers publicly indicate their status regarding consent for
each Consumer Signal Booster that has received FCC certification as
listed in a Public Notice to be released by the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau 30 days prior to each reporting date. For
each listed Consumer Signal Booster, wireless providers should publicly
indicate whether they (1) consent to use of the device; (2) do not
consent to use of the device; or (3) are still considering whether or
not they will consent to the use of the device.
Registration Requirements
Section 20.21(a)(2)--The rules require signal booster operators to
register Consumer Signal Boosters, existing and new, with their serving
wireless providers prior to operation. This is a mandatory requirement
to continue or begin operation of a Consumer Signal Booster. The
registration requirement will aid in interference resolution and
facilitate provider control over Consumer Signal Boosters.
As noted on the Form OMB 83-I, this information collection affects
individuals or households; thus, there are impacts under the Privacy
Act. However, the government is not directly collecting this
information and the R&O directs carriers to protect the information to
the extent it is considered CPNI.
Section 20.21(h)--By March 1, 2014, all providers who voluntarily
consent to the use of Consumer Signal Boosters on their networks must
establish a free registration system for their subscribers. At a
minimum, providers must collect (1) The name of the Consumer Signal
Booster owner and/or operator, if different individuals; (2) the make,
model, and serial number of the device; (3) the location of the device;
and (4) the date of initial operation. Otherwise, the Commission
permits providers to develop their own registration systems to
facilitate provider control and interference resolution, providers
should collect only such information that is reasonably related to
achieving these dual goals. Wireless providers may determine how to
collect such information and how to keep it up-to-date.
Section 90.219(d)(5)--This rule requires operators of part 90 Class
B signal boosters to register these devices in a searchable on-line
database that will be maintained and operated by the Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau via delegated authority from the Commission.
The Commission believes this will be a valuable tool to resolve
interference should it occur.
Labeling Requirements
Sections 20.21(a)(5), 20.21(f), 90.219(e)(5)--In order to avoid
consumer confusion and provide consumers with needed information, the
Commission adopted labeling requirements for Consumer and Industrial
Signal Boosters. Consumer Signal Boosters must be labeled to identify
the device as a ``consumer'' device and make the consumer aware
[[Page 55649]]
that the device must be registered; may only be operated with the
consent of the consumer's wireless provider; may only be operated with
approved antennas and cables; and that E911 communications may be
affected for calls served by using the device. Industrial Signal
Boosters must include a label stating that the device is not a consumer
device, is designed for installation by FCC licensees or a qualified
installer, and the operator must have a FCC license or consent of a FCC
licensee to operate the device. Accordingly, all signal boosters
marketed on or after March 1, 2014, must include the advisories (1) In
on-line point-of-sale marketing materials; (2) in any print or on-line
owner's manual and installation instructions; (3) on the outside
packaging of the device; and (4) on a label affixed to the device. Part
90 signal boosters marketed or sold on or after March 1, 2014, must
include a label stating that the device is not a consumer device; the
operator must have a FCC license or consent of a FCC licensee to
operate the device; the operator must register Class B signal boosters;
and unauthorized use may result in significant forfeitures.
Section 1.1307(b)(1)--Radiofrequency (RF). This rule requires that
a label is affixed to the transmitting antenna that provides adequate
notice regarding potential RF safety hazards and references the
applicable FCC-adopted limits for RF exposure.
Certification Requirements
Sections 20.3, 20.21(e)(2), 20.21(e)(8)(i)(G), 20.21(e)(9)(i)(H),
90.203--These rules, in conjunction with the R&O, require that signal
booster manufacturers demonstrate that they meet the new technical
specifications using the existing and unchanged equipment authorization
application, including submitting a technical document with the
application for FCC equipment authorization that shows compliance of
all antennas, cables and/or coupling devices with the requirements of
Sec. 20.21(e). The R&O further provides that manufacturers must make
certain certifications when applying for device certification.
Manufacturers must provide an explanation of all measures taken to
ensure that the technical safeguards designed to inhibit harmful
interference and protect wireless networks cannot be deactivated by the
user. The R&O requires that manufacturers of Provider-Specific Consumer
Signal Boosters may only be certificated with the consent of the
licensee so the manufacturer must certify that it has obtained such
consent as part of the equipment certification process. The R&O also
requires that if a manufacturer claims that a device will not affect
E911 communications, the manufacturer must certify this claim during
the equipment certification process. Note: The ``application for
equipment'' certification requirements are met under OMB Control Number
3060-0057, FCC Form 731.
Antenna Kitting Documentation Requirement
Sections 20.21(e)(8)(i)(G), 20.21(e)(9)(i)(H)--The rules require
that all consumer boosters must be sold with user manuals specifying
all antennas and cables that meet the requirements of this section.
Part 90 Licensee Consent Documentation Requirement
Section 90.219(b)(1)(i)--This rule requires that non-licensees
seeking to operate part 90 signal boosters must obtain the express
consent of the licensee(s) of the frequencies for which the device or
system is intended to amplify. The rules further require that such
consent must be maintained in a recordable format that can be presented
to a FCC representative or other relevant licensee investigating
interference.
The Commission will use the information collected from the provider
reporting requirement to assess providers' treatment of Consumer Signal
Boosters, including the level of consumer access. This information will
inform the Commission's decision whether it is necessary to revisit the
Consumer Signal Booster authorization mechanism. The provider-based
registration requirement will facilitate licensee control over Consumer
Signal Boosters, help providers rapidly resolve interference issues,
and assist in consumer outreach. The labeling and marketing
requirements will inform signal booster operators of their legal
responsibilities, facilitate coordination with providers, and assist in
interference prevention. The part 90 registration requirement will help
resolve interference should it occur. The RF labeling requirement will
inform consumers about the potential RF safety hazards and references
the applicable FCC-adopted limits for RF exposure. The certification
requirements will ensure that manufacturers comply with our new
technical rules for Consumer and Industrial Signal Boosters. The
antenna kitting documentation requirement will aid consumers in the
correct installation and use of their devices so as to mitigate
interference. The consent documentation requirement will ensure that
signal booster operators have the proper authority to operate their
devices.
Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene H. Dortch,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-22121 Filed 9-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P