Telecom Industry Assn. (TIA) Pres. Matthew Flanigan recommended t...

the FCC’s processes for developing technical requirements and authorizing equipment drain the resources of both the FCC and industry… The inherent inefficiencies in the current FCC procedures for equipment approval lead to time-to-market delays for new products that have consequences for consumers’ access to the latest technology and industry’s ability to compete in a global market.” TIA recommended that FCC: (1) Leave development of detailed technical requirements for products to private sector. Group cited recent change allowing industry to maintain Part 68 rules and said similar step should be taken for radio frequency products and equipment. (2) No longer be only mechanism for approval of products. “The current process of equipment authorization does not meet industry demands in a timely manner,” resulting in delays that cost industry revenue. (3) Expand authority of telecom certification bodies to provide complete and final approval of products, rather than having to send some applications to FCC lab for completion. (4) Allow supplier’s declaration of conformity as alternative means to demonstrate compliance with technical regulatory requirements. (5) Review its system of postmarket surveillance and enforce compliance with its rules. “The above recommendations will reduce costs for both industry and government and will bring the FCC rules in line with trends in global systems for the approval of telecommunications products,” Flanigan wrote.