“Device makers may have to delay introductions of new smartphones and other products because the partial U.S. government shutdown halted certifications that the gadgets don’t cause interference,” Todd Shields reports for Bloomberg.
“Every computer, mobile phone, gaming system, TV, wireless medical device and anything that emits radio waves needs to pass a review by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC clears about 16,000 electronic devices annually, according to figures presented last month to lawmakers by Jessica Rosenworcel, an FCC commissioner,” Shields reports “That output is now at zero, and that “could be something that’s a real drag on the digital economy the longer it goes on,” Rosenworcel, a Democrat, said in an interview.”
Shields reports, “The FCC may become backed up once it resumes operations, creating the potential for delays in introductions of devices from Google, Apple Inc. (AAPL), Samsung Electronics Co., HTC Corp. (2498) and LG Electronics Inc. (066570), law firm Hogan Lovells said in an Oct. 9 note… The FCC furloughed 98 percent of its staff and closed most of its operations Oct. 1 as agencies shut down with Congress unable to agree on spending. Lawmakers [yesterday] discussed a proposal to defuse a parallel disagreement that didn’t include language to reopen the government.”
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