CTA Asks FCC to Allow Presale of Wireless Devices

CTA asked the FCC to allow the presale of new RF devices to the public prior to equipment authorization. Commissioner Mike O’Rielly urged the change earlier Tuesday (see 2006020069). CTA wants the U.S. to keep up in 5G. “While founded on a laudable goal -- ensuring public safety -- as a practical matter, certain provisions in the Commission’s equipment marketing and importation rules are now arcane and counterproductive," the group said: “Companies are not permitted to engage in presales of their not-yet-authorized technology products on a conditional basis to the general public, only to wholesalers and retailers.” Section 2.803(c)(2) of FCC rules, dating to the 1970s is “outdated” and doesn’t reflect market realities, CTA said. "Allowing conditional sales to consumers prior to the official grant of authorization would give manufacturers a better sense of end-user demand, help smaller manufacturers reserve factory space and attract investors, and reduce waste."