The FCC sought comment on a proposal to allow the...

FCC also granted a partial waiver of the rules requested by the association “to permit certification and use of TETRA equipment, subject to certain conditions, pending the outcome of this rulemaking proceeding.” The TETRA Association says on its website that TETRA has uses applicable to communications by public safety, transportation, utilities, the government and the military. The association sought the waiver in 2009 and the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology sought comment from interested parties at the time. “The Association states that the TETRA standard, which was developed by the European Technical Standards Institute (ETSI), is used around the world, and that manufacturers are ready to produce TETRA devices for use in the United States on several frequency bands,” the FCC said. “It also states that TETRA technology provides better efficiency and security than available alternatives, and offers interoperability among equipment from different manufacturers.” The FCC acknowledged that commenters disagreed earlier on whether a waiver should be granted. “Commenters supporting the waiver request argue that it is in the public interest to make TETRA technology available to private wireless users, especially those that must comply with the upcoming narrowbanding requirements,” the commission said. “Those opposing … argue that the Association has not demonstrated that TETRA technology will not cause interference to existing systems, and that the question of whether to permit the use of TETRA technology should be addressed in a rulemaking proceeding rather than in the context of a waiver request.” Comments are due 45 days after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register, replies 15 days later.