FCC Proposes $367,436 Fine for Equipment Marketing Violations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed a collective penalty of $367,436 against ASUSTeK Computer and its wholly owned subsidiary, Asus Computer International for marketing a WiFi adapter, the PCE-AC51, and a WiFi router, the GT-AXE11000, in apparent violation of the FCC's equipment marketing rules. ASUSTeK, without seeking the required authority from the FCC, modified both equipment models to operate in excess of their previously authorized power limits, in apparent violation of section 302(b) of the Communications Act of 1934, and sections 2.803(b), 2.1043(a), and 15.407(a)(5) of the Commission’s rules. Radio frequency equipment capable of operating at excess power risks causing harmful interference to other radio frequency devices. Moreover, violations of this type may give the violator an unfair competitive advantage.