FCC shuts down, no new phone approvals until our fearless leaders sort it out
One of the less intended government shutdown consequences is that the FCC has to put its contingency plans in motion, and scrap all non-essential activities. Unfortunately, when it is not trying to auction airwaves for billions of dollars, the Commission also tests and gives its ultimate approval for each and every handset in the US.
That's done with now, as FCC will keep about 40 staff on file to maintain and protect its equipment, but its more than 1700 other employees will be furloughed until our fearless leaders end their pissing contest. "Equipment authorizations, including those bringing new electronic devices to American consumers, cannot be provided," advised the FCC in a statement.
Yep, that includes new phone arrivals, so everything that's not on the market yet - from the Google Nexus 5, to the Lumia 929 for Verizon - might be facing a launch delay if it hasn't passed all the necessary tests with the FCC yet. Don't even bother going to fcc.gov, as that one is in furlough as well.
source: FCC
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: