FYI -- is this applicable to SCN??

[Doug Schuler]

FCC AUTHORIZES UNLICENSED DATA NETWORKING EQUIPMENT


Source: COMMUNICATIONS DAILY

COMMUNICATIONS DAILY via Individual Inc. : FCC at agenda meeting Thurs.
agreed to set aside 300 MHz of spectrum for development of high-speed
data devices that could link computers and other equipment over
distances up to 5 miles. Apple Computer and Wireless Information Network

:
Forum (WinForum), composed of other manufacturers, filed separate
petitions with Commission about 20 months ago asking it to authorize
such equipment so users could be linked within buildings or campuses
without expensive wiring. Time frame to announce decision is considered
short for creating new spectrum allocation, although FCC didn't go as
far as Apple had requested -- company had urged it to approve power
limits high enough to permit communications over about 12 miles.

Action is expected to lead to development of computers and other devices
with built-in antennas that could be used in same way as cordless
phones; users simply would buy ready-to-go equipment and wouldn't need
to contract with carrier for transmission service as required for
cellular phones. FCC officials said they couldn't specify how equipment
would be used because that would be up to manufacturers. However, it's
expected that such equipment will have wide-ranging uses. For example,
computers in office setting could be linked to each other or to printers
without wiring. Medical devices could be linked within hospitals and
small networks could link computers between 2 college campuses. New
wireless devices are expected to be beneficial in outfitting older scho
ols with classroom computers where inside wiring could be too expensive.

Equipment, which FCC calls Unlicensed National Information
Infrastructure (U-NII) devices, would operate in 5.15-5.35 GHz and

:
5.725-5.825 GHz. That spectrum also is used for amateur radio,
scientific and medical devices and fixed satellite service. To minimize
interference to existing users, FCC established 3-tier set of power
limits:

(1) In 5.15-5.25 GHz, only very low-power devices will be permitted,
transmitting at no more than 200 mw, and only indoor use allowed.
Stringent limits are required to avoid interference with satellite
feeder links, FCC officials said. Richard Smith, chief of FCC
Engineering & Technology Office, said that power level could be used,
for example, to connect computers within offices or schools.

(2) In 5.25-5.35 GHz, 1 w would be permitted, enough to cover area such
as college campus. Smith said that would let students use laptop
computers anywhere on campus to connect to central computer.

(3) In 5.725-5.825 GHz, 4 w, would be permitted. That could permit small
community networks across distances of 6-8 km, Smith said.

Henry Goldberg, attorney who represents Apple, said company "is
delighted with the allocation and with the speed with which it was
made." He said that if there's disappointment, it would be over lower
range of communications networking allowed. However, Apple first must

:
analyze FCC order before commenting on that, he said.

FCC Chmn. Hundt emphasized that power restrictions would be revisited if
they prove unnecessary or too stringent based on practical experience.
Several commissioners and FCC staff members said during meeting that
decision was balancing act between encouraging new services and
protecting existing services from interference. Comr. Ness said spectrum
selected for new devices would encourage export because it's same band
used in Europe for similar services. She said: "Economical
computer-to-computer and computer-to-Internet connections are now a step
closer to reality with the authorization of a new category of
unlicensed, short-range, broadband digital devices."

NTIA Dir. Larry Irving said FCC action will advance efforts to deploy
advanced information services to schools and libraries and "could have a
profound impact on the way individuals, groups and public institutions
communicate." He said NTIA is "optimistic" that FCC's technical
restrictions will enable new U-NII devices to co-exist with govt.
operations that use same bands.

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