*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 8316.doc* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Fax- On- Demand 202 / 418- 2830 TTY 202 / 418- 2555 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov DA 01- 952 Released: April 17, 2001 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES THAT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEALTH ENGINEERING OF THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION MAY BEGIN FREQUENCY COORDINATION OF WMTS EQUIPMENT On February 23, 2001, the Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, released an Order designating the American Society for Health Care Engineering of the American Hospital Association (ASHE/ AHA) to serve as the frequency coordinator for the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS). 1 The Order stated that the designation of ASHE/ AHA to serve as WMTS frequency coordinator would take effect upon the execution by ASHE/ AHA and the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding ASHE/ AHA’s responsibilities and authority as WMTS frequency coordinator. 2 On March 14, 2001 and March 30, 2001, respectively, ASHE/ AHA and the Bureau signed the MOU. Accordingly, ASHE/ AHA is authorized to begin frequency coordination of WMTS equipment. ASHE/ AHA will establish a database that will record all deployed WMTS equipment identified by location, operating frequency, emission type and effective radiated power. The database will also contain the equipment manufacturer and model number for each deployed WMTS device, as well as specified contact information for each authorized health care provider. 3 It is envisioned that this database will assist authorized health care providers and equipment manufacturers in ascertaining which frequencies may be used in a given geographic area without fear of interference. 4 However, ASHE/ AHA does not have authority to recommend specific frequencies to users or to resolve disputes. 5 Health care providers must secure frequency coordination from ASHE/ AHA before deploying WMTS equipment. To secure frequency coordination, they must be prepared to provide ASHE/ AHA with the information specified above. To contact ASHE/ AHA regarding frequency coordination of WMTS equipment, please telephone or e- mail: 1 Amendment of Parts 2 and 95 of the Commission’s Rules to Create a Wireless Medical Telemetry Service, Order, DA- 1470 (WTB PSPWD rel. Feb. 23, 2001) (Order). 2 Id. at ˆ 26. 3 See 47 C. F. R. §§ 95.1111, 95.1113. 4 See Amendment of Parts 2 and 95 of the Commission’s Rules to Create a Wireless Medical Telemetry Service, Report and Order, ET Docket No. 99- 255, 15 FCC Rcd 11206, 11217- 20 ˆˆ 32- 42 (2000). 5 Id. at 11218 ˆ 33. 1 Dale Woodin ASHE Advocacy Director American Hospital Association One North Franklin, Chicago, IL 60606 312- 422- 3812 (direct dial), 312- 422- 4571 (fax), dwoodin@ aha. org. The WMTS regulations appear in Subpart H of Part 95 of the FCC’s rules. 6 These rules are published annually in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47, Telecommunications, Part 80 to End. For on- line access to the Code of Federal Regulations, go to the World Wide Web site www. gpo. gov/ nara/ cfr. In addition, a copy of the above- referenced volume of the Code of Federal Regulations may be ordered from the U. S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop SSOP, Washington, DC 20402- 9328, telephone (202) 512- 1800. For further information, contact Jeffrey Tobias of the Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418- 0680, TTY (202) 418- 7233, jtobias@ fcc. gov. By the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. – FCC – 6 47 C. F. R. §§ 95.1101- 1129. 2