Field Notice: FN - 64185 - Cisco Phone 8831 - DECT Compliance Issue in Select Markets Outside North America - New Configuration, Firmware Update, or Replacement Required

NOTICE:

THIS FIELD NOTICE IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DOES NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE FIELD NOTICE OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE FIELD NOTICE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS FIELD NOTICE AT ANY TIME.

Revision History

Products Affected

Problem Description

Some Cisco Phone 8831 base units were shipped to regions outside North America with the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) radio setting configured to a frequency for North America. In markets where DECT radios are not permitted, this could mean that the devices are not compliant. Dependent upon their location, affected users might need to permanently disable the DECT radio on the CP-8831 base, configure their device to the appropriate frequency, or replace the device with a No Radio (NR) version.

Background

Regional variants were developed for Europe (EU) and other regions. Dependent upon the local regulations, users in these markets with DECT "Radio On" units shipped before the availability of the NR model might need to:

• Download CP-8831-NR firmware in order to disable DECT permanently, or
• Configure their device to the appropriate frequency

In regions of the world where DECT is not compliant at any frequency, such as China, Brazil, and India, an NR version of the Cisco CP-8831 is now orderable and available worldwide. With the CP-8831 NR version, the DECT radio hardware is physically present on the printed circuit board (PCB), but disabled by the firmware. No firmware can be loaded onto the NR version of the 8831 that will enable the DECT radio. The end-user or system integrator will be unable to power the radio in order to ensure it is compliant. 

For additional details and regional product IDs, see Field Notice Number 63899, titled CP-8831 Radio Frequency Issue - Upgrade Needed.

Problem Symptoms

The issue will not affect operation, but affected customers' need to comply with regulatory requirements in the country or region where their CP-8831 units are located.

Workaround/Solution

These products are available in which the DECT radio has been disabled:

• CP-8831-NR-K9= (Base plus DCU)
• CP-8831-BASE-S-NR= (Base only)
• CP-8831-DC-NR-K9= (Daisy Chain Kit)

End-customers located in regions where DECT is prohibited and already own a CP-8831 with DECT can contact the Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and request the CP-8831-NR firmware version.

Important Note: Once the CP-8831-NR firmware version has been downloaded, the CP-8831 cannot be returned to DECT capabilities.

Customers who have the NR version of the 8831 can use the wired extension microphones and the Daisy Chain unit in order to extend the audio reach of their Cisco 8831.

For those customers who are unable to reach the TAC, contact 8831-radiofrequency@cisco.com for additional instructions.

For More Information

If you require further assistance, or if you have any further questions regarding this field notice, please contact the Cisco Systems Technical Assistance Center (TAC) by one of the following methods:

• Open a service request on Cisco.com
• By email
• By telephone

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