FCC Issues New Rules for Cellular Signal Boosters

The ruling requires that beginning March 1st, 2014, consumer signal boosters sold in the U.S. will have to comply with the new technical specifications. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have already filed with the FCC their intent to give consent for signal boosters that meet the technical specifications.

The unanimous ruling is significant for integrators because this has become a growing category for revenue and installations.

In reaction to the ruling, Joe Banos, COO at Wilson Electronics, says, “Wilson Electronics applauds the adoption of FCC certification specifications for consumer cell phone signal boosters, which will eliminate poorly designed products that currently plague the market, and have been a source of cell site interference.

“Today’s outcome is a major victory not only for our industry, but also for the end users who benefit from added levels of safety, security and satisfaction with their service through the use of signal boosters. We realize the issue of third-party signal boosters operating under cellular carriers’ licenses is complex, and we commend the FCC, its Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and all the parties that assisted in developing the approved standards and finding a solution to an issue that once seemed insurmountable.”

Banos went on to recognize the leadership provided by Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T in working with the FCC. He adds that Wilson Electronics is looking forward to “reaching out to the remaining carriers as they adopt the industry’s position.” He says Wilson will be ready to submit its equipment for compliance with the new FCC requirements.

The webcast of the FCC meeting can be found here