Wireless Industry Cautious on Further Signal Booster Changes While Booster Backers Seek Changes

“While CTIA generally supports the use of Consumer Signal Boosters under an appropriately tailored framework, some commenters have made suggestions that would reverse the well-settled policy that booster manufacturers and operators are responsible for managing interference to primary licensed users,” CTIA said in docket 10-4. Some booster makers urged the FCC to require the wireless industry to fund and manage a registration system for wideband boosters and allow boosters in bands without defined technical licensing and service rules, CTIA said: “The Commission should reject both of these requests.”

AT&T said the agency shouldn’t allow use of boosters in the 2.3 GHz wireless communications service band because of the risk of harmful interference to carrier and other operations. "Challenges of the 2.3 GHz band represent an illustration of a broader principle -- that the Commission should not authorize the operation of Consumer Signal Boosters in additional spectrum bands without soliciting and reviewing feedback of interested parties,” AT&T said. “Reject suggestions that the consent of relevant licensees not be a condition precedent to the introduction of Consumer Signal Boosters in new bands.” AT&T supported a central database, saying the commission should administer it.

Verizon also urged caution. “The record demonstrates legitimate concern that certain rule changes could lessen the level of control that spectrum licensees can exercise" over the devices, the carrier said. “Yet licensee control is essential to protect consumers and networks from harmful interference under the 2013 industry-driven solution.”

Manufacturer Surecall sought further changes to allow more use of wideband boosters. “No party disputes the important public interest benefits that would result from eliminating the personal use restriction for wideband signal booster and permitting these safe and effective devices to be used in enterprise environments,” the company said. “Once the personal use restriction is eliminated, countless small businesses, entrepreneurs and organizations will be able to use these devices to enhance the broadband capabilities of their operations and provide added convenience to their customers.”

Wilson found general support for repealing the personal-use restriction on wideband boosters. “Tellingly, no wireless carrier has come forward to oppose the repeal of the personal use restriction,” the manufacturer said: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile USA, “as well as CTIA, voiced at least tacit support for the repeal.” Carriers also agree in general that liberalizing rules has been a success story for consumers, Wilson said.

Porsche Cars North America said cell boosters installed in new cars are working well. But the automaker said the FCC shouldn’t impose new registration requirements on car manufacturers, distributors and dealers. New requirements “would discourage registrations, burden manufacturers, distributors and dealers, and reduce consumer booster options, with no countervailing benefits in reduction of harmful interference,” Porsche said.

Carriers need not fear automakers will install uncertified boosters, said Volkswagen Group of America. “These are not stand-alone devices with universal installation instructions of the sort one buys at the electronics store, or on-line, and self-installs,” Volkswagen said. “They are built into a car's integrated suite of communications/entertainment equipment. The auto manufacturers purchase these devices from major electronic component manufacturers, who must demonstrate, as a contractual matter, that the necessary equipment authorizations have been obtained and warrant their ongoing compliance with all technical specifications.”