UPDATE The FCC Thursday voted to uphold a $2.8 million fine against HobbyKing for marketing unauthorized drone transmitters. HobbyKing marketed devices that provide a video link between transmitters mounted on unmanned aircraft systems and users flying drones. The agency also said the company failed to respond to two Commission orders.
Officials denied the company’s petition for reconsideration. The company marketed 65 non-compliant RF device models on its website; fifteen of those had public safety implications, according to officials during the FCC meeting.
Following complaints to the Commission, the Enforcement Bureau launched an investigation. Officials said the bureau issued formal citations to HobbyKing, “educating the company about the FCC’s rules and warning the company to cease any marketing prior to obtaining FCC certification for RF emitting devices.”
Despite the warnings HobbyKing “persisted” to market the uncertified devices, according to the bureau, which proposed the fine last July, Inside Towers reported. After “fully considering” HobbyKing’s response, the Commission upheld the original Forfeiture Order.
The investigation “concluded that 15 of the devices marketed on HobbyKing’s website operated either in restricted frequency bands reserved for federal uses, or power level limits,” said an official during the meeting. “The marketing of this equipment was especially egregious because the devices threatened to interfere with critical FAA systems and other important federal operations and were never capable of being certified given their operating parameters,” he explained.
HobbyKing filed a Petition for Reconsideration, but repeated arguments the FCC previously considered and rejected, according to the agency.
During the 4-0 vote to uphold the fine, Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the case began several years ago. “Today, we finally bring this proceeding to a conclusion by upholding an order directing a forfeiture of more than $2.8 million. This is the right thing to do with this company,” she said. “Let this also be a notice to all others that we take our policies protecting the airwaves seriously, and if you fail to do so, we will find you,” she warned.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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