Signal Booster Rules, 55648-55649 [2013-22121]

Agencies

• FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55648-55649]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing 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: joyce.jones@fcc.gov.

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