Month: January 2017

Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC)

The  Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC) is a newly formed FCC committee charged with “accelerating the deployment of high-speed Internet access, or broadband, in communities across the country”

One of the first things the BDAC will be asked to do is draft for the Commission’s consideration a model code for broadband deployment. This model code will cover topics like local franchising, zoning, permitting, and rights-of-way regulations. Building, upgrading, and deploying broadband networks isn’t easy, and red tape often can make the task harder than it needs to be. Similarly, many localities that have a strong interest in promoting a digital economy within their borders may not have the resources or expertise to develop and implement deployment-friendly policies. Consumers ultimately pay the price in terms of less access to next-generation services. Our hope is that with a model code approved by the FCC, one that any city could use as a template, the case for broadband deployment would be much easier, especially for communities that seek to proactively encourage it.

Staff:

Brian Hurley – Designated Federal Officer

Paul D’Ari – Deputy Designated Federal Officer

 

BDAC Statement – DOC-343243A1

BDAC News Release – DOC-343242A1

FCC Eliminates Public Inspection Requirements for Broadcasters

The FCC has eliminated 2 file inspection requirements. As of today, 31 January 2017, the following two rules no longer apply to TV and Radio Broadcasters:

  1. Commercial television and radio broadcast stations must retain, and make available to the public, copies of correspondence from viewers and listeners;
  2. Cable operators must maintain and allow public inspection of the location of a cable system’s principal headend.

In 2012, the FCC created a web portal for TV, Radio, and Satellite broadcasters to upload and manage these files. The idea behind the new legislation eliminating the management and public inspection of these files completely is to “furthers the Commission’s progress in modernizing its public inspection file rules. The elimination of these rules will reduce regulatory burdens on commercial broadcasters and cable operators without adversely affecting the general public.”

Removing these requirements also will enable broadcasters and cable operators to make their entire public inspection file available online and permit them to cease maintaining local public files.

In other words, these files will still remain available, but they will be available exclusively through the FCC’s website. Broadcasters no longer to maintain their own local copy of the database – they can just upload and trash incoming correspondence.

FCC File Inspection Elimination – DOC-343246A1

You are not authorized to access this page. [FCC.gov Document Page]

When attempting to access any FCC.gov document url directly, you may receive the message “You are not authorized to access this page.”

This issue happens with all documents hosted at https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=####

FCC.gov only allows linking to internal documents from the FCC.gov site. In order to access a document at a GetApplicationAttachment URL, you will need to be clicking on it from the FCC.gov site. Fortunately, all FCC.gov GetApplicationAttachment documents are mirrored, and you can access them with the following two URLs:

HTML Version https://fccid.io/document.php?id=
PDF Version https://fccid.io/pdf.php?id=
Redirect Tool To FCC.gov Document https://fccid.io/ViewExhibitReport.cfm.php?id=

Simply add the ID number to the end of the URL, and you will have a direct link to the document which you can share anywhere.

For example
https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=1000773
Becomes
https://fccid.io/document.php?id=1000773

FCC.gov Exhibits Warning Popup

WARNING: These exhibits have been provided by the applicant. Exhibits filed in accordance with 47CFR 0.457(d) are not available. The FCC does not guarantee the exhibits displayed on this site are virus-free. It is strongly recommended that any computer viewing these images have virus-protection software installed. Proceed in viewing this exhibit?

Although this seems like a frightening warning, most up-to-date PDF software will catch dated pdf attacks. Ensuring your software and antivirus is up to date and you should be good to go to browse a page like this. OR you can look the device up at https://fccid.io and avoid those pdf attacks with many of the thousands of documents converted to html.

Additionally, the FCC States “All files submitted are virus scanned before appearing on the Web. “. So this may just be an added precaution for dated files on the server.

What is this FCC Exhibits Warning?

WARNING: These exhibits have been provided by the applicant. Exhibits filed in accordance with 47CFR 0.457(d) are not available. The FCC does not guarantee the exhibits displayed on this site are virus-free. It is strongly recommended that any computer viewing these images have virus-protection software installed. Proceed in viewing this exhibit?

Instructions For Generating Selected FCC OET Report Items

The following is a list of fields that may be used to query the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) Database. One or more fields may be specified to limit the amount of data returned. All data entered is case insensitive, unless noted next to a specific search item.

Grantee Code: * Three or five character alphanumeric string representing the Grantee/Applicant. Three character Grantee Codes always begin with an alphabetic character and do not contain the numbers one and/or zero. Five character Grantee Codes always begin with a number and do not contain the numbers one and/or zero.This is a wildcard search to the right of the entered code.
Product Code: * The Product Code is the non-grantee code portion of the FCC ID. The Product Code may include hyphens and/or dashes (-).
Applicant Name: * Name of the Grantee/Applicant on file with FCC OET. Enter the complete name or a portion of it.
Grant Date Range: The date the Grant was issued by the FCC. If a specific date is desired, specify the date in the first field only. Enter all dates in the format MM/DD/YYYY
Grant Comments: Comments listed on the Grant of Equipment Authorization. This search is case sensitive. This search is wild card right and left by default.
Application Purpose: The Application Purpose search may be limited to a permissive change, original grant or a change in the FCC ID.
Software Defined Radios: Check this box to only show software defined radios in the result set.
FCC Approved Applications: Check this box to only show applications approved by the FCC in the result set.
TCB Approved Applications: Check this box to only show applications approved by a TCB in the result set.
Composite Applications Only: Check this box to only show applications that are associated with a composite device in the result set.
Grant Note: Notes associated with the Grant of Equipment Authorization.
Equipment Class: The category or class of equipment assigned to the device submitted for approval for marketing.
Frequency Range (MHZ):** The lower and upper Frequency Range specified on the Grant of Equipment Authorization. Search criteria must be entered in MHz. When Exact Match is not checked the search will find any Grant with a portion of the Frequency Range in the entered Search Band.
Emission Designator: The Emission Designator of the equipment of interest (See Rule Section 2.201 for more details). The asterisk (*) is the wild card character. Examples:

  • To see all entries that exactly match the string “16K0” with the number sixteen enter the following: 16K0
  • To see all entries that start with the number sixteen enter the following: 16*
  • To see all entries that contain a “K” enter the following: *K*
  • To see all entries that end with the characters “K0” enter the following: *K0
Necessary Bandwidth: Necessary Bandwidth of the equipment of interest. Enter an asterisk (*) to perform a wild card search (See Rule Section 2.201 for more details). Examples:

  • To see all entries exactly match the string “F3E” enter the following: F3E
  • To see all entries that start with an “F” enter the following: F*
  • To see all entries that contain the number three enter the following: *3*
  • To see all entries that end with the characters “3E” enter the following *3E
Frequency Tolerance:** Frequency Tolerance of the equipment of interest. When Exact Match is not checked the search will find any Grant with a portion of the Frequency Tolerance in the entered Search Band.
Power Output:** Power Output of the equipment of interest. When Exact Match is not checked the search will find any Grant with a portion of the Power Output in the entered Search Range.
Rule Parts:** Up to three Rule Parts that apply to the authorized equipment may be entered. As an example, if Part 15 is selected from the drop down and exact match is unchecked then all part 15 Grants will be returned.
Product Description: Product Description listed on the Grant of Equipment Authorization and Form 731 application. This search is not case sensitive and will be performed as a wild card on both sides of the search criteria.
TCB Name: TCB that performed the compliance testing and certification.
TCB Scope: This drop-down list contains all Scopes under which equipment may be authorized. When selected, the result set will contain all TCB applications that have been authorized under the specified Scope.

* Wild Card Right – When the search is performed the characters entered into this field will be compared to the database using a wild card on the right. For example, if the letter “A” is entered then all records that start with the letter “A” in this field will be returned (ABC, Apple, Able…).

**Exact Match – If this box is checked then only records exactly matching the search criteria will be returned. If this box is not checked then a wild card search will be performed.

 

A1763 Headphones – BeatsX by Dre

The A1763 Model Headphones are Beats In-Ear Headphones Manufactured by Apple Inc. This device received FCC Certification on 2016-12-19 and it is expected to come to market no later than 2017-06-14.

 

BeatsX-A1763

As of 2017-01-13, there are no other public certification details available besides anticipated certification numbers.

Industry Canada Certification Number: 579C-A1763

Anatel Certification Number: 03276-16-01993

Serial Number Format: PPPYWSSSCCCC

Apple Model Number: A1763

FCC ID: BCG-A1763

Unauthorized Wireless Equipment Sold on the Internet and in Publications

Wireless equipment missing FCC ID Registration may be illegally operating in the US, depending on the frequency it uses. Bluetooth, WiFi and many other devices all need to have valid FCC ID registrations before they are marketed for sale in the USA. Marketing a wireless device without proper FCC certification may result in fines.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) receives many complaints about alleged illegal (non-FCC certified) equipment being offered for sale on the Internet or in publications. The FCC is monitoring this situation carefully and requests your assistance. If you have a complaint or any information about illegal or uncertified equipment being offered for sale, please forward it to the FCC. Useful information includes:

  • an original advertisement or web address where the illegal equipment is being advertised or offered for sale, highlighting the types of equipment about which the allegations are being made;
  • the name of any web auction site selling the equipment, the exact item number, and auction opening and closing dates;
  • name and address of the individual or business offering the item(s) for sale;
  • your name and telephone number in the event follow-up is necessary. We will keep this information private;
  • specifically, why you think the equipment is not in compliance with FCC rules; and
  • number of pieces or types of equipment about which the allegations are being made (one piece, five pieces, how many models, etc.).

Filing a complaint

You have multiple options for filing a complaint with the FCC:

  • File a complaint online
  • By phone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322); ASL: 1-844-432-2275
  • By mail (please include your name, address, contact information and as much detail about your complaint as possible):

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554

Where is my Drone Serial Number? Can I use the FCC ID?

The FCC ID is a non-unique code that is the same across all drones of the same model. The FCC ID on a drone may not be used for FAA registration because it is not unique to the drone.

Drone serial numbers are unique for every drone manufactured. With the serial number (and the proper warrants) a drone could be traced from the manufacturer down the supply chain eventually to the end purchaser. For this purpose, serial numbers on drones need to be unique.

If your drone does not have a serial number and you are trying to FAA register it, you should first check to be sure FAA registration is required of you. If your drone weighs less than 250 grams ( 1/2 LB ), FAA registration is not currently required. Keep in mind, though, you may still be required to register as a drone operator with the FAA.