U.S. GPS Industry Council is asking FCC to appoint independent ba...
U.S. GPS Industry Council is asking FCC to appoint independent band manager to oversee deployment of ultra-wideband (UWB) devices. In ex parte filing, group proposed draft rule that also would cover introduction of UWB devices. Rules proposed by council…
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would: (1) License UWB ground penetrating radars operating below 1 GHz, subject to certain conditions. (Notice of proposed rulemaking approved by FCC last year weighed allowing operation of UWB technology on unlicensed basis under Part 15 rules.) (2) Unlicensed deployment of UWB devices in 6 to 12 GHz. (3) Creation of private sector-run and financed consortium that would be engaged in UWB deployment, which band manager would head. (4) Naming of band manager for UWB, who would promote competition among UWB device providers, promote development and use of technology, manage noise floor of affected frequencies and settle interference disputes involving existing users. This would free FCC from dispute resolution responsibilities, although it would remain “final arbiter of these issues.” (5) Launch of study to determine baseline noise floor level in affected spectrum, “subject to Commission-appointed peer group review and comment on study results.” Filing by council said it “believes adoption of these proposed rules by the Commission would facilitate a speedy introduction of UWB devices while limiting the potential for disruption of existing services.” Raul Rodriguez, counsel to GPS Industry Council, said licensing of UWB ground penetrating radars below 1 GHz wouldn’t likely have significant impact because these devices are marketed to public safety agencies that are accustomed to seeking FCC licenses for their radio services. Band manager concept is not new one for Commission, which has employed such entities in areas such as 700 MHz guardband auction. Point of this part of proposal is to put forth workable solution that will address interference concerns of existing spectrum users while still allowing technology to move forward, Rodriguez said. Use of band manager for unlicensed UWB devices in 6-12 GHz would provide entity that would manage noise flow to ensure that this technology “will not disrupt existing services,” he said. Proposal hasn’t been signed on to by UWB developers.