Conformity 2008 Engineers' Reference Guide

The Year in Review which is funded by contributions from carriers that provide interstate telecommunications services, pays for the provisioning of services that allow persons with hearing or speech impairments to use the telephone. the use of cell phones and other personal electronics devices (PEDs) on board airplanes, making it premature to continue the proceedings. However, the Commission did allow that it might reconsider the issue in the future, pending the availability of additional technical data. According to a report in the New York Times, the Commission reportedly received thousands of communications from citizens expressing concern that lifting the current ban on in-flight cellphone use would serve to irritate millions of air passengers. However, the Commission did not cite consumer concern as a reason for its decision to terminate the proceeding. process of implementing many of these recommendations.” FCC Classifies Wireless Broadband as Information Service In an effort to support the more rapid deployment of wireless Internet access, the FCC determined that wireless broadband Internet service should be categorized as an “information service” under federal law. In its ruling, the Commission determined that wireless broadband is not a “commercial mobile service,” but instead an information service as defined under section 332 of the Communications Act. As such, wireless broadband will be governed by the same regulatory framework that currently covers other information services, including cable modem service, wireline broadband Internet access service, and broadband over powerline (BPL) Internet access service. The Commission said that its action regarding wireless broadband would help to ensure a uniform regulatory approach for all broadband Internet access services. Further, according to Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin, the “classification eliminates unnecessary regulatory barriers for wireless broadband Internet access service providers, and will further encourage investment and promote competition in the broadband market.” Analog Cellular Service Sunset Date Reaffirmed The FCC upheld its so-called “sunset date” for the provisioning of analog cellular service. After February 18, 2008, wireless license holders who currently operate cellular phone systems using the Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) technology will no longer be required to provide such services. The deadline prompted a Petition for Rulemaking from the Alarm Industry Communications Committee and ADT Security Services, seeking a two year extension of the provisioning requirement, and citing the existence of a large number of analog cellular radios used to monitor alarm systems. Although the Commission’s Memorandum Opinion and Order denied the Petition, the FCC did agree to take specific steps to ensure that analog-only cellular subscribers are provided with adequate notice of a carrier’s decision to terminate analog service. Commission Adopts Recommendations of Katrina Panel The FCC voted to implement a number of recommendations proposed by the independent panel evaluating communications failures in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in September 2005. In its Order, the Commission instructed its Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureaus to begin implementing several of the recommendations offered by the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina of Communications Networks. The recommendations to be adopted include requiring local exchange carriers to have an emergency back-up power source for all equipment normally powered by local utilities, and for local exchange carriers and providers of Voice of Internet Protocol (VOIP) services to submit reports regarding the reliability and resiliency of their 911 systems. “The recommendations we adopt today address a wide range of initiatives designed to improve disaster preparedness, network reliability and resilience, and communications among emergency responders,” noted Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin. “I am pleased that…the Public Safety Bureau moved quickly to begin the Commission Ends Prospects of Cellphone Use on Aircraft The FCC terminated proceedings that might have led to the use of cellular telephones on board aircraft, saying that it is still unclear whether permitting such use would create interference with terrestrial networks. In a Memorandum Opinion and Order, the Commission said that there is still insufficient data available to conclude that the use of cell phones on aircraft would not cause harmful interference to ground-based cellular networks. In addition, the Commission noted that airlines, aircraft manufacturers and wireless providers are still researching 1 Conformity 2008 AnnuAl guide continued on page 232

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Conformity 2008 Engineers' Reference Guide

Conformity Engineers' Reference Guide 2008 Contents Letter from the Editor 2007: The Year in Review Company Profiles EMC Requirements for ITE A List of EMC Directive Standards Automotive EMC Standards Standards for Medical Devices EMI Issues in Manufacturing Using Field Probes as EMI Diagnostic Tools Meeting DFS Testing Requirements Selecting an Independent Testing Laboratory Filters PCBs Enclosures Antennas Anechoic Chambers Gaskets Spectrum Analyzers Compliance Software Product Safety SAR Standards Expansion Continues Update on China's CCC Compliance Program Machinery Field Evaluation ESD An Annual Progress Report on ESD Standards An Update on IEC 61000-4-2 Automotive ESD Testing Handling Class O ESDS Devices Telecom Part 68 DSL Interoperability Testing RoHS An Update on RoHS Regulations EU Directives The EU's Physical Agents Directive Buyer's Guide Consultants and Services Product Spotlights Catalog Spotlights Product Directory Vendor Directory Advertisers Index

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