ISM Band Users Say Unlicensed Reg Fees Would Contradict Past FCC Effort

Regulatory fees for unlicensed use will stifle innovation and contradict the FCC’s past efforts to increase connectivity, a collection of trade groups representing industries “heavily invested” in the industry, scientific and medical (ISM) unlicensed bands told Wireline Bureau staff in a call Nov. 17, according to an ex parte filing posted Wednesday in docket 21-190. Representatives of ACT|The App Association, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, CTA, the Information Technology Industry Council and others said in the filing that ISM band equipment is important for precision agriculture, home energy management, and industrial automation. “Restricting innovation by increasing the costs for these services and the underlying research that leads to such innovations, via fees, would contradict the FCC’s investments,” the filing said.