T-Mobile found itself in hot water with federal regulators after rushing one of its budget smartphones to market without completing all the necessary paperwork first.
The wireless carrier will pay a $7,000 penalty and overhaul its compliance procedures following an investigation by the Federal Communications Commission. As reported by PhoneArena, the issue centered around T-Mobile's REVVL 7 Pro 5G, which hit stores on May 23, 2024, without proper FCC equipment authorization.
The problem? T-Mobile sold thousands of these phones to customers during a six-day window before the device officially received its regulatory green light on May 29. While the delay might seem minor, federal law requires all wireless devices to pass interference testing before they can be sold to protect other electronics and communication networks.
T-Mobile pointed fingers at its manufacturing partner, Wingtech, claiming it expected the company to handle the authorization process. However, the FCC disagreed with T-Mobile's interpretation of its contractual obligations.
The timing raises questions about whether this authorization issue contributed to the phone's mysterious recall from stores in August. T-Mobile pulled all REVVL 7 Pro 5G inventory at that time, citing quality standards, though the company hasn't confirmed any connection between the two incidents.
For customers who bought the phone during those first six days, there's no indication they need to take any action. The device eventually received full FCC approval, and T-Mobile has committed to implementing stricter oversight procedures, including designating a compliance officer and conducting regular staff training.
The settlement closes the FCC's investigation, allowing T-Mobile to move forward with its popular budget phone lineup.
Source: PhoneArena
