Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

AT&T Fined $450,000 for Wireless Operations Outside License Parameters

By Diana Goovaerts | September 23, 2016

The FCC on Friday fined U.S. wireless carrier AT&T nearly a half a million dollars as the result of an investigation into the carrier’s operation of fixed wireless stations without proper authorization.

According to the release, AT&T has agreed to pay a settlement of $450,000 after the FCC found the carrier operated “numerous common carrier fixed point-to-point microwave stations” throughout the contiguous United States and Puerto Rico in manners other than those specified on the stations’ licenses.

“We expect every person or company that receives a license from the Commission will operate within the parameters of that authorization,” FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Travis LeBlanc said. “Any licensee who operates outside those parameters threatens the integrity of communications networks, increases the risk of harmful interference, and breaks the law.”

In its January 2015 Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture, the FCC said the infractions occurred at approximately 240 stations over the span of three and a half to four years starting in 2012.

The FCC said the majority of the violations stemmed from a lack of timely review of the licenses AT&T took on as part of its acquisition of Centennial Communications Corporation. Of 240 licenses in question, 59 licenses required filing for major modification applications and 190 required minor modification applications, the FCC said.

The Commission said stations like the ones in question are “wireless connections used by phone companies to connect directly between towers.” These stations, the FCC said, support long-haul backbone connections or to connect points in the network that cannot otherwise be connected using wireline or fiber optic cable.

In assessing the fine, the FCC said it was “particularly concerned that AT&T’s apparent unauthorized operations continued for an extended period of time” at many of the stations. The final penalty, however, was $190,000 less than the original $640,000 fine suggested by the FCC in its Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture.

As part of the settlement, AT&T agreed to implement a compliance plan to conduct timely reviews of wireless fixed microwave stations acquired in future transactions to ensure license compliance, file periodic progress reports on its compliance efforts and correct any noncompliance discovered during the review process within 60 days of discovery.

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: Industry regulations + certifications

 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Widening the scope for machine tool designers with FORTiS™ enclosed encoder
  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.