EWA Assistance for Interference Complaints 

INTRODUCTION 

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) has executed Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) whereby EWA assists licensees to identify and resolve instances of radio frequency interference in the spectrum bands allocated for use by business, industrial and land transportation entities. EWA works in conjunction with the FCC’s Compliance and Information Bureau (CIB) to protect the operational, technical and regulatory integrity of the private enterprise wireless communications environment. 

There are many forms of interference and the information contained on these pages is designed to provide: 

▪            Assistance in identifying specific forms of radio frequency interference; 

▪            Recommended solutions to various forms of interference; and 

▪           Suggest methods to resolve instances of interference.

 Please note that EWA cannot address interference matters involving broadcast spectrum, marine radio spectrum, cell phone service, or interference to home electronics. Complaints of that nature should be directed to the FCC at 1-888-225-5322 (1-888-CALL FCC). 

There are many causes of interference to radio frequency communication systems.  Some forms are essentially minor in nature, often termed nuisance interference, while other cases are more serious and are called “harmful” interference.  The following provides a brief overview of what constitutes nuisance and harmful interference. 

Nuisance Interference  

The majority of voice and data communication systems that are purchased and operate on channels allocated for use by business, industrial and land transportation licenses are shared among a number of users and, as such radio communications compete for airtime.  In this shared frequency environment, it is not uncommon to hear other communications that are not intended for your employees, management or dispatcher.  This is not considered “harmful interference” under the FCC rules. It is EWA’s experience that many interference problems are caused by licensees unwittingly operating beyond the scope of their license authorization. In these cases, resolution of the interference problem may be achieved simply by notifying the offending licensee of its obligations under FCC rules and regulations. By educating licensees unfamiliar with sharing requirements (i.e., monitoring, use of call signs, etc.) all parties may arrive at an equitable resolution to the interference without the need for EWA or Commission involvement. 

If you are able to identify the source of the other signal you are hearing (usually by means of over the air monitoring), you should contact them directly to discuss the matter and work to establish a cooperative channel sharing arrangement. Contact information for all licensees can be found using the FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) (http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/). The ULS allows you to search the FCC’s license database using either a call sign or licensee name. 

If you are not able to identify the other user via monitoring you can still search the ULS to view all of your co-channel licensees who are legally operating in your geographic area using the FCC’s General Menu Reports (GenMen) (http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/reports/index.cfm). GenMen presents a variety of search options using frequency, geographic coordinates, radio service, state, etc. 

Harmful Unlicensed Operations 

If you are able to conclusively determine that the source of the interfering signal is an unlicensed operator, EWA will be pleased to refer your complaint to the FCC. Since EWA has no enforcement authority, clear violations of the FCC’s licensing requirement can only be resolved by the FCC. In order to provide the FCC with complete information about the problem you are experiencing we request that you complete a Compliance Request Report (link) and return it to EWA (e-mail: TBD; or fax: (703) 524-1074). 

Technical Problems 

Types of Interference

Manifestations, Causes, and Solutions

Glossary of Terms