Policy: May 15 FCC meeting to loom large; Sprint fined in ‘do-not-call’ settlement

The Federal Communications Commission’s recent open meeting tackled a number of significant topics set to impact the telecommunications space. Two of the topics were very specific to the wireless telecommunications space in the FCC laying out rules for the 600 MHz incentive auction and changes to its spectrum screen policy.
Those topics are sure to remain front and center for the wireless industry going forward, with the added weight of the scheduled AWS-3 spectrum auction scheduled for later this year.
Other policy news
–The FCC this week fined Sprint $7.5 million for failing to remove consumers from phone and text messaging marketing efforts after those consumers asked to be removed from such lists. The government agency noted the fine was the largest “do-not-call” settlement.
As part of the settlement, Sprint will implement a two-year plan to ensure compliance that includes putting into place a “robust” compliance plan; designate a senior corporate manager as a “compliance officer” to oversee the program; implement a training program for Sprint employees and contractors on how to properly record consumer requests; and file an initial compliance report within 90 days with the FCC.
Sprint in 2011 was fined $400,000 by the FCC for similar marketing complaints.
–The FCC also this week cited a California-based online retailer for importing and marketing counterfeit smartphones “marked with unauthorized or invalid labels falsely indicating that the devices were certified by the FCC.” All electronics devices sold in the United States must pass FCC certification before they can be offered to consumers.
The FCC noted that an investigation into Panasystem found the company had imported counterfeit Samsung Galaxy S Duos and Ace models that were found to not have been manufactured by Samsung and lacked FCC labels, and counterfeit BlackBerry 9790 devices that also lacked proper labeling.
The FCC ruled that Panasystem must take immediate steps to discontinue the importation and marketing of “uncertified radio frequency” devices subject to fines up to $16,000 per day, per device, up to $122,500 for any single act. The FCC also noted that subsequent violations could result in jail time.
Make sure to keep up-to-date on policy news by visiting RCR Wireless News’s Policy page.
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