Wilson Asks FCC to Move to Final Rules on Consumer Cell Boosters

Wilson Electronics asked the FCC to skip a further rulemaking and move directly to rules on eliminating the personal-use restriction on consumer cell-signal boosters, replacing it with a multi-provider registration requirement for wideband consumer signal boosters. Replies were due Monday on Wilson’s December petition for a rulemaking (see 1612200061). In initial comments, the change got broad support (see 1703240041). “Any need for the issuance of a FNPRM evaporated when the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau issued a public notice that went beyond soliciting comments on Wilson’s petition,” Wilson replied in docket 10-4. The bureau “asked for comments on specific questions addressed to whether the public interest would be served if the personal-use restriction on wideband boosters was eliminated,” the firm said. “The public notice garnered comments from a wide range of stakeholders that support the proposed rule change. Now that adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to comment have been provided, the issuance of a FNPRM and the initiation of another round of comments are unnecessary.” The record “overwhelmingly supports the elimination of the personal-use restriction for wideband boosters, as well as for provider-specific boosters,” the company said. The Utilities Technology Council was among commenters supporting Wilson in replies. “Large or small, utilities rely on communications to support the safe, reliable and secure delivery of essential electric, gas and water services to the public at large,” UTC said. “Utilities have an interest in using signal boosters to improve the reception of communications, particularly in buildings and offices where the signal is weak and/or blocked by reflective materials used in the construction of the buildings.” The Telecommunications Subcommittee of the American Petroleum Institute supported the change. “The oil and natural gas industry have holdings and facilities in many remote areas where cellular telecommunication services are fair to poor,” the group replied. “These areas will benefit from a use clarifications on the use of personal boosters, as they will clearly allow their managed installations to proceed forward. While there is certainly this need, there are also several companies that have FCC license holdings, sub-leases, or other operating agreements on frequency bands which may be amplified by broadband boosters.”