According to the report, Sprint initially sent a complaint about network interference to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), asking the agency to look into what was causing the disruption in the carrier’s 1,900MHz band. Agents from the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau in New York City confirmed this interference, saying it originated from equipment either directly or indirectly controlled by one Jian Chang.
The FCC ultimately determined this was Chang’s doing due to the equipment belonging to property he owns in Queens. For his part, Chang was against the FCC examining his device, according to the citation issued by the FCC. In addition, he refused to help the FCC locate the source of the interference and the agency’s examination of “any possible radio sources within his residence.”
As a result, the FCC issued a citation to Chang, with additional citations possibly leveraged against Chang if he fails to respond by September 19. Unfortunately, if Chang is found to have violated the rules a second time, he could face $16,000 for either another violation or every day there exists a continuing violation. The maximum penalty could have Chang coughing up $122,500 “for any single act or failure to act.”
So far, Chang has yet to respond to letters sent by the FCC.
The 1,900MHz band is an important one for Sprint, since it’s used for the carrier’s FDD-LTE service and CDMA voice service. As such, you can understand why Sprint might be upset by these turn of events. Even so, it might be in Chang’s best interest to cooperate, lest his wallet succumb to the weight of a $122,500 fine.
