PROPOSAL TO REVISE MP-4 (FCC COMPUTING DEVICE TEST PROCEDURE) On March 7, 1989, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in General Docket 89-44, (FCC 89-53) to revise MP-4, the FCC's procedure for testing computing devices. Copies of the NPRM, which contains the proposed test procedure, may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to Richard Fabina at (301) 725-1585. Note: The time to file comments and reply comments in the above NPRM has been extended until June 7 and July 7, 1989, respectively. See ORDER EXTENDING TIME TO FILE COMMENTS released April 26, 1989. 4/19/89 MEMORANDUM, OPINION AND ORDER (DOC 87-389) On June 12, 1990, the Commission released a MEMORANDUM, OPINION AND ORDER (MO&O) in Gen. Docket 87-389 in response to a petition filed by the Sensormatic Electronics Corporation requesting reconsideration of the FIRST REPORT AND ORDER in Gen Docket 87-389 (Part 15 Revision released June 23, 1989). In this action the Commission delayed for one (1) year the implementation of a portion of Section 15.249 of the new rules addressing non-licensed operation within the frequency band 902-905 MHz. This action will allow the manufacturers and users of anti-theft equipment to develop and install systems that are less susceptible to interference from new Part 15 devices. As a result of the foregoing action, Section 15.37 of the Rules is amended by adding a new paragraph (d), and Section 15.249 is amended by adding a new paragraph (e) to read as follows: Section 15.37 Transition provision for compliance with the rules. (d) Prior to May 25, 1991, no person shall import, market or operate intentional radiators within the band 902-905 MHz under the provision of Section 15.249. Until that date, the Commission will not issue a grant of equipment authorization for equipment operating under Section 15.249 if the equipment is designed to permit operation within the band 902-905 MHz. ***** Section 15.249 Operation within the band 902-928 MHz, 2400-2483.5 MHz, 5725-5875 MHz, and 24.0-24.25 GHz. (e) Parties considering the manufacture, importation, marketing or operation of equipment under this section should also note the requirement in Section 15.37(d). ***** A very limited number of copies of the complete MO&O are available free of charge from the FCC, Equipment Authorization Branch, 7435 Oakland Mills Rd., Columbia, MD 21046, Attn: Ruby Moore. Upon exhaustion of this supply, copies of the MO&O may be obtained for a small fee from the Commission's present duplicating contractor, ITS, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20006, (202) 857-3800, or one of the other distributors of FCC documents listed under Selection 4 of the main PAL menu (Other Commission Activities and Procedures). FCC PROCEDURE FOR MEASUREMENT OF INTENTIONAL RADIATORS (EXCEPT FOR PERIODIC AND SPREAD SPECTRUM DEVICES AND DEVICES OPERATING BELOW 30 MHz) On June 29, 1989, the Commission released a NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (NPRM) in Docket 89-116, (FCC 89-154) to establish a new procedure for measuring electromagnetic emissions from intentional radiators operating under Part 15 of the Rules. This new procedure, "FCC/OET TP-3, is intended to set forth uniform methods for testing such devices for compliance with the technical standards adopted in the FIRST REPORT and ORDER, Docket 87-389, Revision of Part 15 of the Rules. All interested parties may file comments on or before August 17, 1989, and reply comments on or before September 1, 1989. Copies of the NPRM may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services, 2100 M St., N.W., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to Richard Fabina, (301) 725-1585. Inquiries concerning Part 15 revision may be directed to John Reed, (202) 653-7313. RADIATORS WITH PERIODIC OPERATION AND ASSOCIATED SUPERREGENERATIVE RECEIVERS. On June 29, 1989, the Commission released a NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (NPRM) in Docket 89-117, (FCC 89-155) to establish a new procedure for measuring electromagnetic emissions from periodic transmitters operating under Part 15 of the Rules and from superregenerative receivers associated with such devices. This new procedure, "FCC/OET TP-6, is intended to set forth uniform methods for testing such devices for compliance with the technical standards adopted in the FIRST REPORT and ORDER, Docket 87-389, Revision of Part 15 of the Rules. All interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 1989, and reply comments on or before September 5, 1989. Copies of the NPRM may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services, 2100 M St., N.W., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to Hugh Van Tuyl, (301) 725-1585. Inquiries concerning Part 15 revision may be directed to John Reed, (202) 653-7313. 8/04/89 FCC PROCEDURE FOR MEASUREMENT OF UNINTENTIONAL RADIATORS (EXCEPT DIGITAL DEVICES AND DEVICES OPERATING BELOW 30 MHz) On June 29, 1989, the Commission released a NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (NPRM) in Docket 89-118, (FCC 89-156) to establish a new procedure for measuring electromagnetic emissions from most unintentional radiators operating under Part 15 of the Rules. The new procedure, "FCC/OET TP-4, is intended to set forth uniform methods for testing such devices for compliance with the technical standards adopted in the FIRST REPORT and ORDER, Docket 87-389, Revision of Part 15 of the Rules. All interested parties may file comments on or before August 21, 1989, and reply comments on or before September 5, 1989. Copies of the NPRM may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services, 2100 M St., N.W., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to Richard Fabina, (301) 725-1585. Inquiries concerning Part 15 revision may be directed to John Reed, (202) 653-7313. 8/04/89 AMENDMENT OF PART 2 OF THE RULES CONCERNING THE IMPORTATION OF RADIOFREQUENCY DEVICES CAPABLE OF CAUSING HARMFUL INTERFERENCE On August 7, 1989, the Commission released a NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (NPRM) in Docket 89-349, (FCC 89-244) to update its rules covering the importation of radio frequency devices and to eliminate burdensome and duplicative government information filing changes. These changes will facilitate the US Customs Service Day One project to implement an automated paperless entry system and more closely match the Commission's rules with the separate requirements of the Telecommunication Trade Act of 1988. The Commission's importation regulations, found in Subpart K of Part 2, requires the submission of FCC Form 740 and sets forth conditions for importation of radio frequency devices. All interested parties may file comments on or before September 28, 1989, and reply comments on or before October 13, 1989. Copies of the NPRM may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services, 2100 M St., N.W., Suite 140, Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to Richard Engelman, (202) 653-6288. 09/29/89 On December 29, 1989, in response to a petition filed by the Personal Communications Section of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in GEN Docket 89-605, (FCC 89-341) to amend Parts 15 and 68 of the Commission's Rules to require cordless telephones to be equipped with security provisions to protect the public switched telephone network from unintentional line seizure and telephone dialing. The primary objective of the proposed requirements is to reduce harm to the "911" Emergency Services Telephone System. Interested parties may file comments on or before March 13, 1990, and reply comments on or before April 12, 1990. Copies of the NPRM may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to George Harenberg, (202) 653-7314. On January 10, 1990, in response to a petition filed by the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in PR Docket 89-622, (FCC 89-351) to amend Parts 80 and 87 of the Commission's Rules to modify and clarify the rules pertaining to the technical characteristics of Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs) and Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs) that operate on 121.500 MHz and 243.000 MHz. Interested parties may file comments on or before March 5, 1990, and reply comments on or before March 20, 1990. Copies of the NPRM may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to George Dillon, (202) 632-7175. On January 17, 1990, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in GEN Docket 89-623, (FCC 89-350) to establish a new procedure for testing Class A, B and S Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs) operating under Part 80 of the Commission's Rules. The new procedure, "FCC Procedure for Testing Class A, B and S Emergency Position Indicating Radiobeacons (EPIRBs)", FCC/OET TP-8, is intended to set forth uniform methods for testing these devices for compliance with the present and proposed technical standards in Part 80 of the Rules. See PR Docket 89-622. Interested parties may file comments on or before March 12, 1990, and reply comments on or before April 11, 1990. Copies of the NPRM may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to Hugh Van Tuyl or Thomas Phillips, (301) 725-1585. IN THE MATTER OF Provisions for Introducing Modular Personal Computers for Facilitating Upgrades of Digital Devices. On September 24, 1990, in response to petitions filed by International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and the Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association (CBEMA), the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in GEN Docket 90-413, (FCC 90-307) proposing to amend Part 15 of the Rules to permit the authorization of CPU (central processing unit) boards to be employed in personal computer and digital devices. The proposed rule change will allow manufacturers and system integrators to vary the CPU boards used in personal computers without obtaining an FCC authorization for each combination of computer and CPU board marketed. IBM stated in its petition that technological developments in the design and manufacture of computers have begun to change the way consumers upgrade computers, and that CPU boards are now available directly to consumers as separately marketed interchangeable plug-in boards. In view of this IBM is concerned that our rules unintentionally permit such CPU boards to be marketed to consumers for combination with separately-purchased base units without requiring either the CPU board or base unit to meet our standards for a combined product. IBM requests that the Commission require CPU boards to comply with Part 15 digital device standards and subject them to the certification or verification requirements. CPU boards marketed to another manufacturer for inclusion in a product that will, itself, be subject to the equipment authorization requirements would be exempt. CBEMA's position is similar to the position of IBM, and states that the Commission needs to clarify it intended regulatory treatment of "control cards" and "Processor boards" that are entirely internal and may be retailed as upgrade devices. CBEMA requests that the rules be changed to treat CPU boards as peripheral devices, and that the reference to control cards be removed from the definition of peripheral devices or that the definition be modified to read "control cards controlling and with interfaces to external peripherals." CBEMA further states that many control cards do not meet the criteria for a peripheral device as they are not external to the computer, internal with an external interface or "turbo" cards or "enhancement" boards. Interested parties may file comments on or before December 13, 1990, and reply comments on or before January 14, 1991. All relevant and timely comments will be considered by the Commission before final action is taken in this proceeding. Copies of the NPRM may be obtained from the Commission's duplicating contractor, International Transcription Services (ITS), 2100 M Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 857-3800. Inquiries concerning the NPRM may be directed to the Technical Standards Branch, Room 7122, Office of Engineering and Technology, (202) 653-6288. WELCOME TO THE FCC PUBLIC ACCESS LINK (PAL) 1. ACCESS EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION DATA BASE Provides status of pending and granted applications; and names and addresses of grantees (party responsible for equipment compliance) by grantee code (first three characters of FCC ID). The system does not include information on Part 68 telephone equipment. 2. DEFINITIONS Provides definitions of the alphabetical and numeric codes found in the status, equipment class, data elements and notes field of the above program, e.g., (status) GI - Grant Issued; (equipment class) JBC - Class B Computing Device/Personal Computer, (notes) 18 "This device must be supplied with a shielded A.C. power cord". 3. APPLYING FOR AN EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION Provides information on preparing applications for submittal, fees, obtaining rules, forms, bulletins, measurement procedures, test firms who provide compliance tests to the public (please note that the Commission provides this information as a public service, we do not approve test facilities; but accept measurement data from such facilities based on a review of the description of the measurement site filed pursuant to the rules), sample shipping instructions, etc. 4. OTHER COMMISSION PROCEDURES Provides information on other authorization procedures of the Commission, e.g., Part 68 registration, FCC's distribution procedures, importation of equipment. May be updated periodically to include other information. 5. OPERATIONAL INFORMATION Provides Laboratory directions, addresses, hours of operation, and Laboratory history. 6. PUBLIC NOTICES Includes public notices on a variety of Commission actions. General public notices may be deleted after 30 days. 7. RULEMAKINGS Provides a synopsis of current rulemaking proceedings concerning radiofrequency devices. Information may be deleted after final action on proceedings appears in the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 47 CFR). 8. HELP Provides assistance in locating information on the PAL system. 9. INFORMATION HOTLINE Provides information on actions of particular interest concerning radiofrequency equipment, such as form revision, adoption of new rules, public notices, etc. Office of Engineering and Technology FEE GUIDE FILING INSTRUCTIONS Applicants are required to submit one payment by check, bank draft or money order, and one Fee Processing Form (FCC Form 155) with each application. The Fee Processing Form must show the correct fee type code and remittance. Check, bank draft or money order MUST be made payable to the Federal Communications Commission, and must be drawn upon a United States financial institution. Foreign, post dated, altered or third-party checks are not acceptable. Do not send cash. EQUIPMENT APPROVAL SERVICES Mail Equipment Approval Services applications to: Federal Communications Commission Equipment Approval Services P.O. Box 358315 Pittsburgh, PA 15251-5315 TYPE OF APPLICATION FORM NO. FEE CODE PER FORM 731 CERTIFICATION: 1/ a) Receivers (except TV and FM) 731 EEC $285.00 b) All Other Devices 731 EGC 735.00 c) Modification and Class II Permissive Changes 8/ 731 EAC 35.00 d) Request for confidentiality 7/ 731 EBC 105.00 TYPE ACCEPTANCE: 2/ a) All Devices 731 EFT 370.00 b) Modifications and Class II Permissive Changes 8/ 731 EAT 35.00 c) Request for confidentiality 7/ 731 EBT 105.00 TYPE APPROVAL: 3/ a) All Devices (with testing) 731 EHA 1,465.00 b) All Devices (without testing) 731 EDA 170.00 c) Request for confidentiality 7/ 731 EBA 105.00 NOTIFICATION: 4/ a) All Devices 731 ECN 115.00 ADVANCE APPROVAL OF SUBSCRIPTION TV SYSTEMS 5/ Corresp EIS 2,255.00 a) Request for confidentiality 7/ Corresp EBS 105.00 ASSIGNMENT OF APPLICANT CODE 6/ a) New Applicants for all Application Types, except subscription TV Corresp EAG 35.00 The FCC's equipment authorization procedures for the issuance of equipment approval for radio frequency equipment are covered by the terms certification, type acceptance, type approval and notification. Parties who can assume responsibility for equipment compliance with the applicable technical standards should file an application for authorization. The issuance of a grant of equipment authorization is a prerequisite to marketing equipment, subject to these procedures, in the United States. Inquiries concerning equipment approval services for radio frequency equipment may be directed to: Office of Engineering and Technology Authorization and Evaluation Division Equipment Authorization Branch 7435 Oakland Mills Road Columbia, MD 21046. (301) 725-1585 FOOTNOTES 1/ Certification is an authorization issued by the Commission for equipment designed to be operated without an individual license under Parts 15 and 18 of the Rules, based on representations and test data submitted by the applicant. The requisite fees are also charged for abbreviated application procedures (changes in identification of presently certified equipment). 2/ Type acceptance is an authorization issued by the Commission for many categories of transmitting equipment used pursuant to a station license, based on representations and test data submitted by the applicant. The requisite fees are also charged for abbreviated application procedures (changes in identification of presently type accepted equipment). 3/ Type approval is an authorization issued by the Commission based on examination and measurements of specific equipment by the Commission's laboratory. New equipment and major modifications require testing, while changes in identification of presently type approved equipment or minor modifications do not. 4/ Notification is an authorization issued by the Commission for different classes of equipment operated without an individual license under Part 15, and certain transmitting equipment used pursuant to a station license. Notification is based on an attestation by the applicant that the required measurements have been made to demonstrate compliance with the applicable technical standards. Modifications and permissive changes to authorized equipment are normally allowed without the requirement to file an application, unless these changes are so extensive as to cause the equipment to be considered a new product, which would require a new identification and requisite fees. The requisite fees are also charged for abbreviated application procedures (changes in identification of presently notified equipment). 5/ Licensees and permittees of TV broadcast and low power TV stations may only conduct subscription operations by using an encoding system approved in advance by the Commission. The Commission has not designated a specific application form for requesting approval of subscription TV systems. Informal applications, accompanied by all data described in Subpart M of Part 2 of the Rules, are acceptable. Modifications to approved subscription TV systems which necessitate a new application for advance approval require an additional fee of $2,255.00. 6/ Fees for assignment of grantee codes are a one time charge for NEW APPLICANTS applying for authorization of equipment subject to certification, type acceptance, type approval and notification. No grantee code is assigned for subscription TV system applicants. The three-character grantee code, assigned by the Commission, is issued permanently to the specific applicant for the purpose of formulating the equipment identification (FCC ID) for all equipment covered in subsequent appli cations submitted by the specified applicant. Requests for advance assignment of a grantee code, prior to submission of an application, must be accompanied by the $35.00 fee. Requests for assignment of a code submitted simultaneously with an application for equipment authorization must be accompanied by the $35