Why do I require an FCC Designated Agent?

As of February 6th, 2023 the Federal Communications Commission amended the Equipment Authorization Program, under Order FCC 22-84. The purpose of the amendment was principally to ban authorization of devices which pose a threat to national security. The FCC decided that certain communication equipment and companies, would be categorized under a Covered List and further for any devices which are certified by the FCC, an applicant would be required to have a US based Designated Agent who is authorized to process service and receive legal correspondence and official requests for information from the FCC.

The introduction of the Covered List was the primary goal of the FCC, but in the updated rulemaking they also amended 47 CFR § 2.911 Application requirements which are a series of requirements that apply for any application who is going through the FCC certification process. The rule that changed is that all applicants applying for equipment certification n of their device for use in the USA are required to designate an agent located in USA whose purpose is to accept service of process on behalf of the applicant / grantee for each new equipment authorization which is granted.