What do you assume that will accomplish? It’s your own Part 15 devices interfering with each other because of some shitty spec (Bluetooth) - I don’t think there’s any FCC rule breaking involved here.
I’m all for using the federal agency complaint process but this is dumb.
I assume it will accomplish helping the FCC realize that some people are upset about interference in the unlicensed bands between popular consumer products from a large company (Logitech) and a larger company (Apple).
I'm not confident in making any accurate predictions beyond that, but it's not my job to predict what they'll do — it's my job as a consumer to report problems to them, and let them act or not as they see fit. Refusing to report a problem just because (made up example) I think they don't care about Bluetooth has a non-zero probability of being a variant of the Bystander Problem. And however likely or unlikely that may be to any of us, it's got better odds than if we don't report it at all. So I say:
Report the issue as perceived, and give them a chance to surprise you with a useful outcome from that.
> I assume it will accomplish helping the FCC realize that some people are upset about interference in the unlicensed bands
Trust me - they are very well aware of this - and Part 15 is already written with this in mind. No one is surprised that all the junk in the ISM band interferes - as I said elsewhere I think many of us are constantly amazed it works as well as it does.
This is also not enforceable interference - it does not meet the definition of “harmful interference”
> Report the issue as perceived, and give them a chance to surprise you with a useful outcome from that.
My question still remains - what do you think or hope this will accomplish?
Are you hoping they will carve out a slice of new spectrum for AirPods and give it to Apple for free?
> Refusing to report a problem just because (made up example) I think they don't care about Bluetooth
It’s not that they don’t care - it’s that this is getting really outside the scope of their regulations.
You do you, but the point of the federal complaint process is, well …“By filing a consumer complaint and telling your story, you contribute to federal enforcement and consumer protection efforts”
Consumer protection meaning scams and fraud over telecommunication or provision of services - its not a place to vent because your shitty electronics don’t work all the time - which is not fraud even though you may feel cheated. And there are no rules broken to enforce. Having read complaints I know that yours won’t nearly be the dumbest by far but it’s still dumb.
> It was their choice to invite consumer complaints about radio interference in unlicensed bands using a crafted UI.
When I go to the FCC link you posted, I don't even see what you're talking about. I see a menu of: TV, Phone, Internet, Radio, Access for People with Disabilities, and Emergency Communications, Affordable Connectivity Program and "Tell us Your Story". None of those initial menu options would even apply - this isn't disrupting your TV, Phone, Internet or broadcast radio services. "Tell us your story" is just a free text entry form - nothing about radio interference/unlicensed.
So maybe you can clarify.
>> Are you hoping they will carve out a slice of new spectrum for AirPods and give it to Apple for free?
> No.
Well then what, really? Why not just call the police then?
If each company is selling an FCC certified device that is running within the parameters of its certification (which is likely the case) - the FCC has nothing to act on. You are asking the feds to intervene on no actual rule breaking. Devices sharing the "trash" ISM band are often going to interfere even when operating within specification. You might have a better bet with the FTC or a civil case.
Yes, it would be nice if Logitech or Apple did something to play nice, but it's not a federal communications regulations issue.
Also you asked for the FCC to respond. If you look at the FAQ, the FCC does not directly respond to consumer complaints - it would totally overwhelm them with the terrible signal to noise ratio. They indirectly respond insofar as demanding a response from the provider for service related issues https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/articles/2050828...
You're right it's possible they haven't done anything but it's not for certain.
Options that are what's wrong:
They are breaking the rules of the ISM band (the free 2.4GHz band). Transmitting too strongly or with too much leakage. This is the easiest way to cause the problems listed and would get them in the most trouble (because it's trouble with the FCC), but is unlikely.
In spec Bluetooth implementation and in spec ISM band, but logitech are using Bluetooth in a way that's causing a problem for airpods. If this were the case it would be arguably an airpod problem, but it's unlikely because no other device manages to achieve this.
Out of spec Bluetooth implementation, close enough in protocol to do Bluetooth like things (and get a link through) but something like to wide a rolloff on the Bluetooth channels so it interferes with other BT devices in a way it shouldn't. Without getting out a spectrum analyser this is to me the most likely explanation of how you could achieve the described behaviour. Interestingly this doesn't get you in trouble with the FCC, it gets you in trouble with the Bluetooth SIG. The way Bluetooth IP works is that you are only allowed to use it if you use it correctly and are certified. Presumably Logitech fudged some radio tests.
> This is the easiest way to cause the problems listed and would get them in the most trouble.
The devices both run in the 2.4 GHz band so, no, leakage outside the band or even excess power is not the “easiest way” this is causing problems - it’s probably much more mundane.
I’m all for using the federal agency complaint process but this is dumb.