The FCC approved revisions to its 2013 technical...

single issue in the order and Further NPRM (http://bit.ly/Y34b0K), released Monday. Wi-Ex, which sells boosters, had complained in a petition seeking reconsideration that testing procedures to certify wideband boosters were complicated by the need for special test equipment to determine whether the device complies with the downlink noise limit in the rules. Wi-Ex told the FCC that during the course of meetings with the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology and the ANSI ASC C63 working group “it was determined that filtering equipment that includes variable tunable bandpass filtering and notches was necessary to measure the downlink noise in the presence of downlink signals through the booster,” the order said. But the OET lab and other labs that test communications equipment “do not have such equipment, thus complicating device testing,” the FCC said. “We agree ... and find that the requested amendments to our rules will facilitate the test procedures and equipment certification process for Wideband Consumer Signal Boosters without diminishing the safeguards in our rules designed to protect wireless networks.” The FCC approved a handful of changes sought by V-Comm, Verizon and Wilson Electronics in a second petition. Among them, the FCC approved new noise and gain limits for provider-specific consumer signal boosters. The commission accepted a recommendation that “the maximum booster gain not exceed 58 dB and 65 dB for frequencies below and above 1 GHz, respectively.” The FCC said the limits are “reasonable for signal booster manufacturers to implement, while also adequately protecting against interference to wireless networks.” The FCC also adopted, at the joint petitioners’ request, a requirement that provider-specific boosters “must be sold together with antennas, cables, and/or coupling devices that meet the requirements of this section” of FCC rules. The FCC also adopted a requirement that all consumer signal boosters certified for fixed, in-building operation include a label directing consumers that the device may only be operated in a fixed, in-building location. “We agree that such a requirement is appropriate to ensure that consumers are properly informed about which devices are suitable for their use and how to comply with our rules,” the FCC said. The FNPRM tees up a single issue -- should the FCC eliminate the “personal use” restriction for provider-specific consumer signal boosters. “Would removing this restriction for Provider-Specific Consumer Signal Boosters be in the public interest?” the FCC asks. “What are the costs and benefits of removing the restriction? What are the costs and benefits of maintaining the restriction?” Comments will be due 30 days after the notice appears in the Federal Register and reply comments 20 days later.