The Enterprise Wireless Alliance has filed a Petition for Declaratory Ruling seeking confirmation that the 800/900 MHz Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) systems that are not interconnected with the public switched telephone network should be classified as private mobile radio services under the FCC’s rules. EWA argues that such systems, by statutory definition, cannot be regulated as common carriers. EWA supports its Petition by citing a recent Sixth Circuit Court decision affirming that interconnection is a key criterion for commercial mobile service classification.
EWA contends that the FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau has misinterpreted the law by requiring non-interconnected SMR applicants to identify as common carriers. The Petition seeks correction of this misclassification and the establishment of a process for affected licensees to amend their regulatory status without incurring fees or additional filing requirements.
