GE Healthcare Proposal Slated for Vote at July 2 FCC Meeting
Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps put forward a relatively light schedule for the FCC’s July 2 meeting. Copps on Thursday evening circulated three items for the meeting for what could be his last meeting as acting chairman. None of the items is expected to be controversial.
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One item scheduled for a vote is launching a rulemaking on a GE Healthcare proposal for body sensor networks that would operate on a secondary basis in the 2360-2400 MHz band, FCC officials confirmed Friday. The sensors would surround the body, allowing doctors to continuously monitor various physiological parameters such as heart rate, temperature, pulse rate, respiratory function, and blood glucose levels. GEHC said in comments a year ago that the proposal has broad support. “No commenter refutes the tremendous societal benefits (in terms of the increased efficiency with which health care could be delivered) that would result from an … allocation,” the company said.
The FCC will also take up a rulemaking sought by the Fixed Wireless Communications Coalition that would allow wireless backhaul in the 6 GHz and 23 GHz bands. NTIA has recommended the change for the 23 GHz band, but does not have similar authority over the 6 GHz band.
Copps circulated an order approving the notice on May 22. “A change in the rules is needed to allow 30 MHz bandwidths in the Upper 6 GHz,” FWCC said in a February 2008 petition asking the FCC to launch a rulemaking in the 6 GHz band. “The implementation of a rule amendment, rather than case-by-case waivers, will provide certainty to fixed service operators and end users, and will enable conditional licensing for the prompt deployment of new broadband links capable of high capacity.” Copps also designated for a vote by the July 2 meeting an order already circulating (CD May 13 p3) that would let AM stations use FM translators to fill in their coverage areas, said a commission official. Copps also scheduled another DTV update for the meeting and an update on the FCC’s national broadband plan.