Overview and Document Background
On February 23, 2016, the Federal Communications Commission Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) released document DOC-337858A1, titled Handset Information by Service Provider. The report compiles handset deployment information submitted by nationwide, regional, and rural wireless service providers for the reporting period spanning January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015.
The report documents handset models offered to consumers, detailing radio access technologies, frequency bands, device classifications, and hearing aid compatibility compliance parameters under FCC rules.
- Document Number: DOC-337858A1
- Releasing Bureau: Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB)
- Bureau Point of Contact: Bobby Brown
- Release Date: February 23, 2016
- Reporting Coverage Period: January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015
Service Provider Deployment Listings
The document aggregates handset offerings across dozens of commercial wireless providers and telecommunications cooperatives operating across various regions. Participating entities include nationwide operators such as AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile US, Inc., Sprint Corporation, and Verizon Wireless, along with regional operators such as Bluegrass Wireless LLC, United States Cellular Corporation, Carolina West Wireless, Inc., and GCI Communication Corp.
The report also catalogs device offerings by numerous independent telephone companies, mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), and regional carriers, including Consumer Cellular, Inc., TracFone Wireless Inc., NTELOS, Chat Mobility, and PTI Pacifica Inc.
- Participating entities encompass national mobile carriers, regional network operators, rural telephone cooperatives, and prepaid service providers.
- Device portfolios reflect offerings from manufacturers such as Alcatel, Apple, BLU, Bullitt Group/Caterpillar, Coolpad, EMPORIA, HTC, Huawei, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Pantech, Samsung, Sanyo, Sharp, SONIM, Sony/Sony Ericsson, Verykool, and ZTE.
Hearing Aid Compatibility Ratings and Tier Classifications
Under the Commission's hearing aid compatibility framework, devices are evaluated for acoustic coupling (M-ratings) and inductive telecoil coupling (T-ratings). The compiled data includes devices rated across the M3, M4, T3, and T4 performance tiers, as well as designated non-HAC models.
The report also records qualitative tier categorizations and market classifications across carrier submissions to track access across diverse product segments.
- Acoustic Coupling Ratings: M3, M4, and unrated/non-HAC designations.
- Inductive Coupling Ratings: T3, T4, and unrated/non-HAC designations.
- Device Categorization Levels: Basic Voice/Text phones, Feature Phones, Smartphones, and PDA-class terminals.
- Market Tiering: Groupings categorized across low-tier/basic, mid-tier/moderate, and high-end/feature-rich tiers, along with de minimis service provider listings.
Air Interfaces and Operational Technical Parameters
The technical disclosures summarize the operating modes and spectrum bands utilized by certified handset models during the annual reporting cycle.
Deployments encompassed legacy cellular networks, multi-band 3G configurations, LTE rollouts, and short-range wireless connectivity options across commercial frequencies.
- Radio Access Technologies: CDMA (1xRTT, EV-DO), GSM, WCDMA/UMTS, LTE, iDEN, and WiMax.
- Operating Frequency Ranges: 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1700 MHz (AWS), 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz (PCS), 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz, and 2600 MHz.
- Integrated Features: 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, Camera, MMS, and TTY accessibility features.