Month: July 2016

The FCC ID is comprised of two parts, the first part is a manufacturer’s identifier. This is a 3 or 5 character identifier that is unique to each manufacturer of a device. This part of the identifier can contain numbers and letters.

The second part of the FCC ID is a manufacturer chosen model identifier. This part of the FCC ID can contain numbers, letters, and hyphens. Older FCC IDs (pre-1995) may also contain parentheses and periods, but these are no longer acceptable characters for FCC Identifiers.

Some companies, especially companies known for counterfeit goods may forge an FCC ID or FCC approval. If you are looking to check the validity of an FCC ID, you can use this tool to look up the product details. Be sure to check the external images of the device and manufacturer of the device match the product you purchased.

FCC ID Validity Check:   

FCC IDs are required for all imported wireless transmitting electronics.
The manufacturer (or importer) is responsible for having the compliance label produced, and for having it affixed to each transmitter that is marketed or imported. The wording for the compliance label is included in Part 15. Verified transmitters must be uniquely identified with a brand name and/or model number that cannot be confused with other, electrically different transmitters on the market. However, they may not be labelled with an FCC ID or in a manner that could be confused with an FCC ID.
Section 15.19 Section 2.954

FCC ID numbers are the same for all phones (all iPhone 6 phones will have the same FCC ID). Each phone produced gets a unique IMEI number. This would lead to each FCC ID representing tens of thousands of IMEI / MEIDs so it is not currently possible to lookup an IMEI or MEID from an FCC ID.

The FCC ID is a unique identifier to each model of device. The first 3 to 5 characters of the FCC ID are an assigned number unique to each manufacturer (chosen by the FCC). The remaining characters are chosen by the manufacturer of the device and may contain the serial number or model number of the device.

To clarify, the FCC ID is not the model number or serial number, but sometimes the FCC ID contains the model or serial number.

An FCC ID on a cell phone is the regulatory certification number used to certify the cell phone complies to wireless emissions standards. Using the FCC ID, you can lookup the wireless frequency the cell phone uses, the radiation you may be absorbing by using the cell phone, and other technical information about the device. FCC IDs must be on all cell phones and other wireless transmitting devices certifying they are approved for use in the USA.

IMEI & MEID numbers are unique identifiers for each cell phone. No cell phone will have the same IMEI / MEID number as it identifies the phone with the carrier so the cell phone carrier can route the calls to the correct phone on its network. Unlike the IMEI / MEID numbers, FCC IDs are not unique. Each model of phone will have the same FCC ID (for example, all iPhone 6 phones will have the same FCC ID). The FCC ID is used to identify the frequencies the phone operates at and its wireless emissions.

An FCC ID on a wireless router is the regulatory certification number used to certify the router complies to wireless emissions standards. Using the FCC ID, you can lookup the wireless frequency the router uses (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz), the radiation you may be absorbing by using the wireless router in your home, and other technical information about the device. FCC IDs must be on all routers and other wireless transmitting devices certifying they are approved for use in the USA.

Home-Built Transmitters that are Not for Sale
Hobbyists, inventors and other parties that design and build Part 15 transmitters with no intention of ever marketing them may construct and operate up to five such transmitters for their own personal use without having to obtain FCC equipment authorization. If possible, these transmitters should be tested for compliance with the Commission’s rules. If such testing is not practicable, their designers and builders are required to employ good engineering practices in order to ensure compliance with the Part 15 standards.
Section 15.23

Home-built transmitters, like all Part 15 transmitters, are not allowed to cause interference to licensed radio communications and must accept any interference that they receive. If a home-built Part 15 transmitter does cause interference to licensed radio communications, the Commission will require its operator to cease operation until the interference problem is corrected. Furthermore, if the Commission determines that the operator of such a transmitter has not attempted to ensure compliance with the Part 15 technical standards by employing good engineering practices then that operator may be fined up to $10,000 for each violation and $75,000 for a repeat or continuing violation.
Section 15.5
47 U.S.C. 503

Operating a prototype of a product that is ultimately intended for market is not considered “personal use.” Thus, a party that designs and builds a transmitter with plans to mass produce and market a future version of it must obtain an experimental license from the FCC in order to operate the transmitter for any purpose other than testing for compliance with the Part 15 technical standards. Information on experimental licenses may be obtained from the contact point listed in the Additional Information section of this bulletin. FCC authorization is not required in order to test a transmitter for compliance with the Part 15 technical standards.
Section 15.7
47 CFR Part 5

Full Text: https://fccid.io/bulletin-oet63rev.pdf