[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 22 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 3600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2168]



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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

47 CFR Parts 15 and 90

[ET Docket 93-235; FCC 95-486]


Additional Frequencies for Cordless Telephones

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Final Rule; petition for reconsideration.

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SUMMARY: By this action, the Commission denies the Petition for 
Reconsideration filed by the American Petroleum Institute (API). The 
cordless telephone rules are intended to improve the operation and 
convenience of cordless telephones. The Commission finds that API 
presents no new information in its petition that would justify a 
further change in our requirements for cordless telephones.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Serafini, Office of 
Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-2456.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's 
Memorandum Opinion and Order, in ET Docket 93-235, Adopted December 1, 
1995 and released December 12, 1995. The complete Memorandum Opinion 
and Order is available for inspection and copying during normal 
business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M Street, 
N.W., Washington, D.C., and also may be purchased from the Commission's 
duplication contractor, International Transcription Service, (202) 857-
3800, 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037.
    1. On June 5, 1995, the American Petroleum Institute (API) filed a 
Petition for Reconsideration requesting that the Commission amend its 
cordless telephone rules adopted in the Report and Order, 60 FR 21984 
(May 4, 1995), on April 5, 1995. API stated that the rules do not fully 
protect against interference to PLMRS and requested changes to the 
requirements for automatic channel selection in cordless telephones. 
Alternately, API requested that cordless telephones operating on the 
new frequencies be required to place a 2-inch by 3-inch label on both 
the exterior packaging and the actual equipment. The label, which would 
include specific language proposed by API, would warn consumers of 
possible interference from the PLMRS and inform them that they must 
accept interference.
    2. In the Report and Order, the Commission found that it was 
neither necessary nor desirable to impose specific design standards for 
the automatic channel selection mechanism, and the Commission permitted 
manufacturers the flexibility to implement the requirement in a manner 
that best suits the design of their equipment. API has presented no new 
information in this regard, and we continue to believe that the 
concerns of API have been addressed. Commenters opposed API's petition 
stating that the concerns raised by API have already been adequately 
addressed by the Commission and that any further action is unnecessary. 
Regarding API's alternative request for additional labelling, we note 
that our existing Part 15 rules already require cordless telephones to 
be labelled regarding potential interference.
    3. Based on the comments, the Commission adopted the Memorandum 
Opinion and Order denying API's petition for reconsideration. 
Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that the petition for reconsideration filed 
by the American Petroleum Institute IS DENIED. This action is taken 
pursuant to the authority contained in Sections 4(i), 302, 303(e), 
303(f), and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

List of Subjects

47 CFR Part 15

    Communications equipment.

47 CFR Part 90

    Communications equipment.

Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-2168 Filed 1-31-96; 8:45 am]
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