FCC makes additional spectrum available for unlicensed use

Nov 14, 2003 12:00 PM, Bill McCarthy, MRT Magazine

In the Report and Order approved Wednesday, the Commission made the spectrum available for use by unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) devices, including Radio Local Area Networks (RLANs), operating under Part 15 of the FCC's rules. This increases the spectrum available for use by unlicensed devices in the 5 GHz region of the spectrum by nearly 80 percent, the FCC said.

The Commission said the action synchronizes available spectrum for U-NII devices worldwide, enabling manufacturers to reduce product development costs by allowing the same products to be used in many parts of the world.

The additional available spectrum for U-NII devices will enable continued growth and innovation in wireless broadband services, including services offered by wireless Internet service providers (WISPs). The FCC hopes WISPs will use unlicensed devices to provide a broadband alternative for rural and underserved areas.

In addition to making additional spectrum available for U-NII devices, the Commission adopted several allocation changes consistent with the results of the 2003 World Radio Conference and an agreement reached with the U.S. Department of Defense and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The changes will ensure that critical Federal Government operations are protected from interference, the FCC said. The Order requires that U NII devices operating in the 5.250 5.350 GHz and the 5.470 5.725 GHz bands employ dynamic frequency selection (DFS) -- a listen-before-talk mechanism -- and transmit power control (TPC).

The commission said the action is part of its ongoing effort to promote more flexible, innovative, and market driven uses of the radio spectrum.