Supplier Best Practices

The following is a series of best practices recommended for suppliers of wireless devices.

  • Hands-Free Operation
    Any product that is designed and marketed exclusively for use in a vehicle should be equipped with “hands-free” operations as standard equipment.  Any conversion apparatus that changes a product from portable or transportable to vehicle use should include as standard equipment all necessary items for “hands-free” operations.
  • TIA Safety Information
    The TIA Ad Hoc Product Information committee has prepared language to inform users on the safe use of their wireless phones TIA Safety Information. Consumers should be provided with the TIA Safety Language pertaining to Pacemakers, Hearing Aids, and Other Medical Devices; as adopted by the TIA Product Information Committee, dated May 1, 1997. Use of the complete TIA language is encouraged.  
  • FDA Consumer Update
    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maintain a consumer website to address inquiries about the safety of mobile phones. Consumers are provided with the questions and answers. The website will be revised on occasion so consumers should be reminded to refer to it periodically to make sure they have the most current information.
  • Driver Safety Tips
    Portable phones should display the “Safety-Your Most Important Call” logo on the phone or its packaging. Portable phones should also include the CTIA-developed wireless phone “Safety Tips" while driving.
  • Audio Accessibility
    Portable products with speech (audio) capabilities should include a port that can be used for external audio access devices such as, but not limited to, earphones, headsets, car kits and TDD/TTY devices. Products with speech (audio) capabilities should also support the capability of hands-free speech.
  • Display Screen Message
    Portable phones incorporating a display screen should be capable of displaying the "Safety: Your Most Important Call" message or logo on the product’s screen when the unit is initially turned on.
  • Hands-free Toll-Free Number
    Portable phones should include an insert in the phone’s packaging that provides a toll-free number for the purchase of a hands-free device for the handset.
  • SAR Information & FCC ID Labeling
    Portable phones should include the highest SAR value reported on the FCC Grant of Equipment Authorization together with explanatory language on SAR, in consumer friendly terms, in the phone’s packaging.  Example text Consumer Information on SAR

    Portable phones should also display FCC ID Labeling on the outside of the phone’s packaging: FCC ID Labeling
     
    SAR information, in consumer friendly terms, and the SAR value (as reported on the FCC Grant of Equipment Authorization) of the phone should also be provided on the manufacturer’s web site.  
  • Protection Against Accidental 911 Dialing
    Portable phones should not be pre-programmed with “911” as a default “one touch” dialing feature. Users may program “one-touch” 911 dialing on an individual basis, however.
  • Consumer Recycling
    The wireless industry is committed to the goal of sustainable development and the environmentally sound management of wireless products at end-of- life. Consumers should be informed of ways in which they can help ensure the environmentally sound disposition of used wireless devices. Products should include the “Wireless…The New Recyclable™” information.
  • Application Programming Interface (API)
    A standardized Application Programming Interface (API) between a wireless device and a test system or software program is defined in these two documents:
  • CTIA's Wireless Device High-Level API Specification 

  • CTIA's Wireless Device Low-Level API Specification