FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMM I SSION 
WASHINGTON 
OFFICE OF 
T H E C H AIRMA N 
The Honorable Bill Nelson 
Ranking Member 
April 13,2015 
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation 
United States Senate 
425 llart Senate Office Bui lding 
Washington, D.C. 205 10 
Dear enator Nelson: 
Thank you for your letter regarding devices known as IMSI catchers (one of which goes by 
the trade name StingRay) and their use by law enforcement agencies. In your letter, you posed 
questions about the FCC's certifi cation process for such devices. I appreciate your inquiry and 
welcome this opportun ity to address your specific concerns. 
1. What information the FCC may have had about the rationale behind the 
res trictions placed on the certification of the tingRay, a nd whether similar 
restrictions have been put in place for other devices 
Equipment certification is required to ensure that products that use radio spectrum comply 
with the Commission's technical rules. Certification is requi red before such a product can be 
imported or marketed in the United States, except that equipment marketed to or used solely by 
the federal government is not subject to the Commission's rules or certi fication. Placing 
conditions on the equipment certification is intended to ensure that such use of such equipment is 
constrained to law enforcement. Fur1hcrmorc, the application for equ ipment authorization 
described the limited functionality built into the device and how it would be used by law 
enforcement after obtaining appropriate legal authority. These documents were granted 
confidentiality under the provisions routinely avai lable under Commission's rules. 
The Commission placed the following two conditions on each grant of certification: (I) the 
marketing and sale of these devices shall be li mited to federal, state, and local public safety law 
enforcement officials only; and (2) state and local law enforcement agencies must coordinate in 
advance with the FBI the acquisition and use of the equipment authoriLed under this grant of 
certification. The conditions are consistent wi th our understanding that the equipment would be 
marketed for use on ly by law enforcement and that coordination with the FBI would protect 
federal interests. 
Harris Corporation has applied for and been granted certification for several devices, all of 
which are posted on the Commission's web site. A list of the certified devices and the links to 
the grants of cer1ification are attached. Portions of the applications are withheld from public 
Page 2- The Honorable Bill Nelson 
inspection as permitted under the Commission's rules because they include trade secrets. Digital 
Receiver Technology, Inc. applied for and wa granted certification for similar devices which are 
also included in the attached list. The same conditions arc included on the grants of certification 
for these devices. 
We underscore that a grant of certification means only that the Commission has concluded 
that the equipment complies with the Commission's technical rules. It is the responsibility of 
law enforcement to obtain whatever legal authority may be required by Title 18 of the Un ited 
tatcs Code. 
2. Whether the FCC inquired about what oversight may be in place to make sure that 
use of the devices complied with the manufacturer's representations to the FCC at 
the time of certification 
We have talked to the manufacturers, and they have confirmed that the subject equipment 
under the certification is marketed for use in the domestic market and on ly to U.S. law 
enforcement authorities. We also understand that the parties have been coord inating with the 
FBI as required. The Commission has no information about the extent to wh ich or conditions 
under which law enforcement has obtained authority to use the devices. 
3. A status report on the activities of the "task force" you previously formed to look at 
questions surrounding the use of the tingRay and similar devices 
The Commission created a task force of experts from various omces within the ngenc} to 
serve as the focal point to look at issues surrounding the use of IM I catchers through a holistic 
approach. The task force also serves as a single point of inttial contact across the agency to 
coordinate among agency stakeho lders, develop process and clarify roles and responsibilities, as 
well as related issues that may arise. 
I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further 
as istance. 
s~/1~f_ 
Tom Wheeler 
Enclosure