The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a fine of $60,000 against T-Mobile License, LLC for its failure to adequately limit public access to its service antennas located on the roof of an office building in Phoenix, AZ, and for failing to post exposure notices in nearby areas accessible to the public.
According to a Notice of Apparent Liability for forfeiture issued in November 2015, the unprotected antennas were discovered as a result of a complaint from the building’s owner. An inspection by agents from the Enforcement Bureau’s San Diego Office determined that a number of T-Mobile antennas supporting cellular, advanced wireless service (AWS) and broadband personal communication service (Broadband-PCS) services were directly accessible by the building’s maintenance staff and others via two penthouse patios.
The inspection also revealed that, while warning signs were posted on the door leading directly to the area where the antennas were installed, no warnings were posted in the patio areas where access to the antenna was completely unrestricted.
The building owner also complained that the carriers whose antennas were mounted on the rooftop were unhelpful in assisting the building’s management in providing RF exposure training for its staff.
FCC rules set maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits for all antennas located in areas accessible to the public and workers. The FCC found T-Mobile’s inadequate signage at the site did not meet “the FCC’s stated expectations for restricting access to areas that present a potential public safety hazard.”
Read the complete text of the Commission’s Notice of Apparent Liability against T-Mobile.
