Incoming FCC Head proposes new Radio License Class

New incoming FCC Chairman designate Brendan Carr has told the American communication industry that his organization will soon embrace the new Trump Administration promise to move towards protectionism and isolationism.  Incoming International communications may  be subject to a 25% tariff to protect American telephony and radio frequency communication industries from unfair trade practises.  This move will be in addition to the general 25% tariff to be applied on all goods coming in from other countries which will already increase the cost of communications equipment in the United States.

A US company expected to be a big winner from these changes is Motorola and it's stock price has moved up as of late.  Analysts from JP Morgan Chase have warned that the increase in US sales would most likely be offset by a decrease in offshore sales as the Trump initiated world trade war spirals in months to come with expected retaliatory measures by other nations.

Stakeholders that are not collecting fees per use for international communication will be subject to new license classes that will effectively pay the tariffs another way.  Examples of these stakeholders are VOIP communication, Television providers and Amateur Radio. 
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A new Amateur Radio license class dubbed Extra Class Advanced Plus will have a yearly fee, in the $100 to $200 range, that will allow operators to receive incoming signals from outside the United States.  Carr, when asked about why this should benefit Amateur Radio stated, “These protectionist changes should substantially decrease outside signals to the United States and bolster our internal communications industry and make American communications great again.  It will be a great time to be in American communications.” 

ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR was asked for the ARRL response and he replied in a written statement, "The American people, many of whom are Amateur Radio operators, spoke loud and clear in the November election, embracing MAGA, therefore the ARRL will not stand in the way of the incoming Administration's moves towards minimizing ties with the rest of the World."
 
-reporting from the Federal Communications Commission, Washington DC, Scott VA7SL

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