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TP-Link to Pay $200K in FCC Settlement

TP-Link to Pay $200K in FCC Settlement

TP-Link to Pay $200K in FCC SettlementLast week, the Federal Communications Commision’s Enforcement Bureau reached a $200,000 settlement with TP Link, which resolved an investigation into some Wi-Fi routers that were not in full compliance with FCC rules regarding power levels. Part of that settlement requires TP-Link to adopt robust compliance measures to make sure that its current and future wireless routers are in compliance with FCC regulations. The company has also agreed to work with the open source community and Wi-Fi chipset manufacturers to allow consumers the ability to install third party firmware on their routers.

“The Commission’s equipment rules strike a careful balance of spurring innovation while protecting against harmful interference,” said Travis LeBlanc, Chief of the Enforcement Bureau.  “While manufacturers of Wi-Fi routers must ensure reasonable safeguards to protect radio parameters, users are otherwise free to customize their routers and we support TP-Link’s commitment to work with the open-source community and Wi-Fi chipset manufacturers to enable third-party firmware on TP-Link routers.”

During the Investigation , the Enforcement Bureau discovered that TP-Link marketed a number of routers that included a user setting that violated Section 15B of the Commission’s rules and regulations. The setting allowed users to operate at power levels exceeding the approved parameters on certain wi-fi channels. In response to the issue, TP-Link is stopping the production and sale of all non-compliant devices and ensuring that new compliant ones will take their place. After cooperating with the investigation, TP has agreed to a $200,000 fine and implement a compliance assurance program. TP-Link will institute processes to make sure that any products imported or marketed in the US will be in FCC compliance. This includes removing any non-compliant devices from the marketplace and offering updated downloadable versions of software on its website, so that users can bring the non-compliant devices into compliance.

In addition, TP-Link will be taking steps to support innovation in third party router firmware by committing to investigate security solutions for some 5GHz band routers that would allow for the use of third party firmware while reaching the FCC’s requirements and continuing the integrity of critical radio parameters.

The Commission’s rules states that devices such as routers are certified by the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology for use on unlicensed wireless spectrum between certain output levels. This prevents interference with other lawful wireless communications such as those on adjacent spectrum bands.

Click here for the official TP-Link statement.

To read the FCC’s offical statement, click here.

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