AHAM Says Case for FCC Oversight of Microwave Ovens Uses Old Data
The Assn. of Home Appliance Mfrs. (AHAM) fired back Fri. at proponents of FCC-imposed restrictions on power levels of ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) devices, including microwave ovens, saying any pro- regulatory claims are based on “discredited” information and built on an NTIA study that tested old gear. AHAM alleged that equipment maker Motorola, which has supported claims that ISM equipment poses a risk, largely restated old arguments and did no noteworthy new research. The FCC is scoping the issue and a decision could be made as early as Jan.
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Sprint Nextel and the Wireless Communications Assn. want limits under Part 18 of FCC rules for ISM devices -- including microwave ovens, paint dryers and some medical imaging gear -- to protect wireless broadband operators as they're moved from the 2150-2162 MHz band to the 2.5 GHz band as part of an FCC relocation plan. Sprint is a major holder of the spectrum and WCA represents companies that want to offer such services. In a pattern seen as potentially significant, Motorola this month met with the FCC several times to support Sprint and the WCA.
AHAM told the FCC in a letter it shouldn’t be swayed by Motorola. “Motorola’s presentations are merely a reiteration of the data and arguments presented to the FCC” by WCA and Sprint, AHAM said. “AHAM has already demonstrated why the WCA and Sprint arguments (and now the Motorola arguments) are invalid interpretations of outdated information that was improperly generated in the first instance.”
“The Commission staff was generally sympathetic to the arguments AHAM made in the past,” a source close to the AHAM filing said Fri. “It is often the case when Motorola comes in the Commission will accord it deference. They obviously have a lot of technical expertise and they've been around for a long time. But in this instance it’s hard to say that they're a neutral 3rd party. They're likely to make BRS equipment. They're unlikely to make microwave ovens.” Motorola officials couldn’t be reached for comment Fri.
The 1994 NTIA study is no longer relevant, AHAM said. “The NTIA study was never designed to measure the level of acceptable emissions,” the group said. “The measurement methods and the size and shape of the load in the oven cavity were different than those specified in Part 18. Also, the ovens NTIA tested may bear little relationship to the ovens in use today. AHAM’s criticism of the NTIA remains unchallenged, yet Motorola continues to rely on data derived from the study.”