Man Charged for Interfering

Jian Chang is being charged by the FCC for allegedly illegally running equipment that interferes with Sprint’s network in Queens, NY. The problem was occurring with Sprint’s 1900MHz band, and the FCC claims that the problem was originating from equipment that Chang owns. Sprint filed a complaint with the FCC on March 10, and since then Chang had not been cooperating with the FCC. According to FierceWireless, Chang will not allow the Commission to physically examine his offending equipment, and has until September 19 to respond to a citation issued to him, dated on August 19. If Chang fails to respond, additional sanctions could be placed on him. “The device at this location is injecting noise into the Sprint network and degrading or blocking service to Sprint’s customers. Chang refused to assist the agents and refused to allow the inspection of any offending transmitter,” the FCC explained. FierceWireless also reported that the whole ordeal could end up costing the offender as much as $16,000 for each time, or each day he interfered with the Sprint network. The maximum fine is $122,500. Sprint uses the 1900MHz band for FDD-LTE service, and to carry CDMA voice service.