Overview and Reporting Scope
On April 30, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) released an informational index titled 'Information by Handset' under record ID 326849.
The index compiles handset data submitted by wireless service providers covering the reporting period from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013. The document catalogs unique handset models offered by wireless providers along with their technical parameters, operating frequency bands, and hearing aid compatibility (HAC) ratings.
- Document Category: Text / Index
- Bureau: Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB)
- Reporting Period: January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013
- Release Date: April 30, 2014
Compiled Handset Data and Technical Categories
The informational listing includes devices across major manufacturers such as Acer, Alcatel, Apple, ASUS, Audiovox, Avvio, BlackBerry/Research In Motion, BLU, Bullitt Group/Caterpillar, Casio, Coolpad, Dell, Doro, Emporia, HTC, Huawei, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Pantech, Sanyo, Sharp, Sonim, Sony Ericsson, and ZTE.
For each device entry, the index records key technical classifications and compliance metrics submitted by reporting carriers:
- Air Interface Technologies: GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, LTE, Wi-Fi, and iDEN.
- Operating Frequency Bands: Ranging from 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1700 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 2.6 GHz, to 5.0 GHz bands.
- Hearing Aid Compatibility Ratings: M-Ratings (acoustic coupling) and T-Ratings (inductive telecoil coupling), ranging from M3/T3 to M4/T4, or designated as N/A where standards did not apply or ratings were not assigned.
- Provider Count: Number of distinct reporting service providers offering the specific device configuration during the 2013 calendar year.
Notable Provider Disclosures and Classifications
The index includes carrier-submitted remarks explaining operational details, lifecycle events, and labeling corrections across specific handsets.
Several entries document device retirements, multi-band WiFi capabilities, and specific clarifications regarding voice and data standards across varied air interfaces.
- Carrier remarks indicate software and firmware transitions affecting ratings, such as Apple iOS updates altering ratings on legacy hardware.
- Providers noted dual-band and multi-band Wi-Fi capability at 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz (recorded as 5000 MHz) operating alongside cellular transceivers.
- Entries clarify air interface functionalities, including data-only operations for certain Wi-Fi modes and simultaneous LTE data support during CDMA voice calls.
- Labeling notes specify retail corrective actions where certain handset packaging was updated by carriers to properly reflect HAC rating standards.