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Spectrum Enforcement Division: EB-SED-Response@fcc.gov
Division Chief:Elizabeth Mumaw
Deputy Chief:Kimberly Cook
Deputy Chief:Stephen Hanson
Assistant Division Chief:Shannon Lipp
Assistant Division Chief:Regina Brown

The Spectrum Enforcement Division (SED) is responsible for resolving potential violations of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, (Act) and the Commission’s rules involving spectrum use, public safety, communications equipment, environmental and historic preservation, and technical issues. These include enforcement for 911 service reliability, network outage and related reporting obligations, equipment authorization, marketing, and importation rules. SED is also responsible for taking enforcement actions involving unauthorized or unlicensed operations (generally not broadcast spectrum issues), and environmental and historical review violations involving communications towers.

The functions performed by the Spectrum Enforcement Division include:

  • Investigates and resolves 911 and other network outage and related issues.
  • Investigates and resolves issues arising from the importation and marketing of equipment that require authorization under the Act and the Commission’s rules.
  • Investigates and resolves unlicensed operation/operating without a license or outside the scope of a license (generally non-broadcast spectrum issues).
  • Investigates licensees and tower registrants to protect environmental and historic resources when constructing communications towers.
  • Coordinates with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies on importation of unauthorized equipment issues.
  • Coordinates with law enforcement officials regarding online marketing of unauthorized equipment issues arising from the public safety frequency bands.
  • Coordinates with other Commission bureaus and offices regarding emerging technologies that fall within the Commission’s equipment authorization and licensing purview.
  • Reviews proposals for transmitters other than broadcast near FCC monitoring stations. (The Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau reviews proposals for broadcast transmitters near the monitoring stations.)

 

General Enforcement Areas

 

Bureau/Office:
Tags:
Updated:
Monday, May 20, 2024