FCC FCC Wireless Communications and Mobile Services 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FCC rules, what is a 'Commercial Mobile Radio Service' (CMRS)?
- A for-profit mobile radio service that is interconnected with the public switched telephone network (Correct answer)
- Any radio service operated by a corporation
- A licensed mobile service used exclusively for commercial trucking
- A fixed wireless service offering commercial internet access
Correct answer: A for-profit mobile radio service that is interconnected with the public switched telephone network
CMRS is defined as a mobile radio service that is operated for profit and is interconnected with the public switched telephone network, encompassing services like cellular, PCS, and SMR.
Question 2: What FCC regulation governs the specific absorption rate (SAR) for cell phones?
- FCC rules set a maximum SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg averaged over 1 gram of tissue for cell phones sold in the US (Correct answer)
- FCC rules set no SAR limits — SAR is regulated by the FDA
- Cell phone SAR limits are set by state health agencies, not the FCC
- The FCC's SAR limit for cell phones is 2.0 W/kg averaged over 10 grams
Correct answer: FCC rules set a maximum SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg averaged over 1 gram of tissue for cell phones sold in the US
The FCC limits cell phone SAR (a measure of the rate of radiofrequency energy absorption by the body) to 1.6 watts per kilogram, averaged over 1 gram of tissue.
Question 3: What is the FCC's 'interoperability' requirement for wireless handsets?
- In some bands like 700 MHz, the FCC has required that handsets be interoperable across carriers using the same band (Correct answer)
- All wireless handsets must be interoperable with every US carrier
- The FCC has no interoperability requirements for wireless handsets
- Interoperability is only required for handsets sold to government agencies
Correct answer: In some bands like 700 MHz, the FCC has required that handsets be interoperable across carriers using the same band
The FCC has adopted interoperability requirements in certain bands (notably the 700 MHz Lower B and C blocks) to ensure that devices can work across different carriers' networks.
Question 4: What does the FCC's 'network openness' condition on the 700 MHz C-block license require?
- Licensees must allow any application and any device to connect to their network in that band (Correct answer)
- Licensees must offer free access to their 700 MHz C-block network
- The network must remain publicly owned and operated
- Licensees must share their 700 MHz spectrum with competitors
Correct answer: Licensees must allow any application and any device to connect to their network in that band
The FCC's open access condition on the 700 MHz C-block requires licensees to allow customers to use any compatible device and any application on that spectrum, promoting consumer choice.
Question 5: What is the FCC's 'light-touch' regulatory approach to wireless services?
- A policy of applying minimal regulatory requirements to wireless providers compared to traditional telephone services (Correct answer)
- A rule limiting wireless tower heights to reduce environmental impact
- An FCC enforcement policy that gives wireless carriers multiple warnings before fining them
- A spectrum management approach giving wireless providers maximum flexibility in band use
Correct answer: A policy of applying minimal regulatory requirements to wireless providers compared to traditional telephone services
The FCC has historically applied lighter regulatory requirements to wireless services than to traditional wireline telephone services, relying more on market competition to protect consumers.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the FCC's 'portability' rules for wireless services?
- They require wireless carriers to allow customers to keep their phone number when switching carriers (number portability) (Correct answer)
- They require wireless devices to be physically portable (no fixed installations)
- They mandate that wireless coverage must be available when users travel (roaming portability)
- They require wireless carriers to allow service plan transfers between family members
Correct answer: They require wireless carriers to allow customers to keep their phone number when switching carriers (number portability)
FCC wireless number portability rules require carriers to allow customers to transfer their existing phone number to a new carrier when switching providers.
FCC FCC Wireless Communications and Mobile Services 1
Under FCC rules, what is a 'Commercial Mobile Radio Service' (CMRS)?