Wanted to add some official information to our knowledgebase regarding FCC Confidentiality Requests in conjunction with Applications for Equipment Authorization (formerly, Type Acceptance).

The below-linked .pdf from ATCB, a leading independent wireless certification services firm, clarifies the current FCC policy on confidentiality, which was effective June 15, 2004.

To summarize, there are two categories of confidentiality that relate to a device vendor's electronic Application for Equipment Authorization: indefinite/permanent and temporary/short-term.

FCC short-term confidentiality protection can be requested for a period of 45 days and renewed up to a total period of 180 days; it affects public access to the following items:

External Photos
Internal Photos
Test Setup Photos
Block Diagrams
Schematics
User's Manual
Parts List
Tune-Up Procedures
Operational Description

Permanent confidentiality can be requested for the following filing elements:

Block Diagrams
Schematics
Parts List
Tune-Up Procedures
Operatonal Description

What's important about FCC confidentiality is that if the device vendor "engages in public marketing activities or otherwise publicizes the device prior to the expiration of the short-term confidentiality..." the protection ceases and the FCC places the restricted items in the public database.

It would appear that Samsung's presenting the SCH-i760 at the CES in early January--however informally--should constitute "public marketing" for this purpose.

Finally, the cost of the FCC's "confidentiality" ticket is a mere $155.00. Some pundits would deem this fee way too low--and suggest the U.S. budget deficit could be balanced on the basis of confidentiality fees suitable for wireless device-makers...



--BAM


ATCB Information Regarding Different FCC Confidentiality Requests:
http://www.atcb.com/publicdocs/Memo-...ity-031306.pdf

FCC Fee Schedule:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...7cfr1.1103.pdf