Report No. ET 98-3    ENGINEERING AND  TECHNOLOGY ACTION   April 2, 1998  


FCC SIMPLIFIES, STREAMLINES EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION PROCESS; ADOPTS
                   ELECTRONIC FILING PROCESS
                       (ET Docket  97-94)
                                
     The FCC today adopted streamlining actions to (1) simplify the existing equipment
authorization process, (2) move to a system of electronic filing of equipment authorization
applications, and (3) deregulate and relax equipment authorization requirements for a wide
number of types of equipment that have demonstrated a good record of compliance.

     Today's streamlining Order will cut in half the number of equipment authorization
applications required to be filed with the Commission - from 3500 to approximately 1800. The
FCC said the new procedures will result in savings of at least $100 million to manufacturers of the
products covered by the changes, including large and small manufacturers. The FCC said it hoped
the simplified procedures would help encourage the development of new, innovative products that
could benefit consumers.

     The FCC said it plans to initiate another rule making in the near future to further
streamline the equipment authorization process by: (1) allowing parties other than the FCC to
certify equipment, and (2) implementing mutual recognition agreements on testing and approval
to promote international trade of telecommunications products.

     Equipment authorization ensures that radio transmitters and other equipment meet
standards to minimize their potential to cause interference to radio services.  The equipment
authorization process is based on a written application and test results submitted by the
manufacturer or other responsible party.

     The Commission reduced from five to three the number of different equipment
authorization procedures: Certification, where applications are sent to the FCC, and two
manufacturer self-authorization programs,  Declaration of Conformity, and Verification. The
Notification program was eliminated, and the Type Acceptance program was combined in the
Certification program.

                              (over)

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     The Commission said implementation of an electronic filing system will significantly
reduce processing time by improving efficiency, such as by allowing simultaneous processing of
both administrative and technical reviews.  The Commission said it expected to complete testing
of the system this Spring and could be in service by May 1998. The Commission said it would
initially accept dual paper and electronically filed  applications to allow manufacturers to become
familiar with the new system, but would mandate electronic filing one year after the effective date
of the rules.

     Deregulatory items in today's Order include:

     * relaxing from Certification to the Declaration of Conformity self-approval procedure for
Part 15 TV interface devices, radio receivers (except scanning receivers), and Cable System
Terminal Devices;

     * changing approval of Part 18 consumer ISM (industrial, scientific, medical equipment)
equipment from Certification to Declaration of  Conformity;

     * changing approval procedures from the Notification requirement to the Verification
requirement for a series of delineated transmitters, including: Part 5 wildlife tracking and ocean
buoys, Part 101 point-to-point microwave transmitters, Part 74 Auxiliary Broadcast aural relays
and boosters, Part 78 Cable Television Relay fixed transmitters, Part 80 INMARSAT equipment,
and Part 87 406 MHz emergency locator transmitters.

     Action by the Commission April 2, 1998, by Report and Order,  (FCC 98-58).  Chairman
Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani, which Commissioner Ness
issuing a separate statement.

                            - FCC -
                                
News Media Contact: David Fiske (202) 418-0513
Office of Engineering & Technology Contact: Hugh Van Tuyl (202) 418-7506.