The FCC plans to suspend most of its operations on Thursday, Jan. 3rd, if the government shutdown continues.
83% of FCC employees will be furloughed, including those that issue the approval of new phones. Such approval is legally required for any radio-transmitting device before it can be sold for use in the U.S..
If the shutdown is prolonged, it could delay the launch of some new phones in the U.S. market. The FCC will continue certain critical operations, including interference mitigation that threatens life or property, as well as spectrum auctions, which are funded by auction proceeds.
The ongoing government shutdown is due to an impasse between President Trump and Democrats over whether a bill to fund the government will include funding for the southern border wall that the President promised in his campaign but cannot get Mexico to pay for – which was center piece of his 2016 campaign.
