*Pages 1--4 from Microsoft Word - 20117.doc* 1 PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12 th Street, S. W., TW- A325 WASHINGTON, DC 20554 DA 02- 1816 News media information 202/ 418- 0500 Fax- On Demand 202/ 418- 2830 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov ftp. fcc. gov Released: July 26, 2002 SPECTRUM POLICY TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES PANELISTS FOR THE AUGUST 1st PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON UNLICENSED SPECTRUM AND EXPERIMENTAL LICENSES AND THE AUGUST 2nd PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON INTERFERENCE PROTECTION ET Docket No. 02- 135 As previously announced by a Public Notice released on July 10, 2002, the Spectrum Policy Task Force will hold the first two in a series of four public workshops addressing spectrum policy issues on August 1 st and August 2 nd . The August 1 st workshop will address issues related to Unlicensed Spectrum and Experimental Licenses. The August 2 nd workshop will address issues related to Interference Protection. Each workshop will be held from 9 am to 3 pm in the Commission Meeting Room, 445 12 th Street, S. W., Washington, DC. The Spectrum Policy Task Force is charged with conducting a systemic evaluation of existing spectrum policies and with making recommendations as to possible improvements. These workshops will provide input into this review. Throughout the course of the panels, there will be the opportunity for questions from the public audience. The following agenda provides the names and affiliations of the invited panelists. Additional participants may be confirmed prior to the event. The final list will be published on the Spectrum Policy Task Force web site at www. fcc. gov/ SPTF. August 1 st : Unlicensed Spectrum and Experimental Licenses: Unlicensed Spectrum: The Commission has provided for the operation of low power unlicensed devices under Part 15 of the rules. Devices operating under Part 15 must meet technical standards that are designed to control harmful interference to radio communications services. Users must correct any harmful interference that may occur and must accept any interference that is received. The Part 15 rules accommodate millions of products 1 2 used by consumers and businesses including, cordless telephones, garage door openers, anti- pilferage systems, wireless local area networks, RF identification systems, and a broad range of other applications. Most recently, industry has developed standards, such as Wi- Fi and Bluetooth, that are enabling deployment of broadband digital applications for community use and at wireless access points. The Commission has also attempted to facilitate public access to spectrum- based services that are authorized by rules (e. g., Citizens Band Radio Service, Family Radio Service, Multi- Use Radio Service.) These panels will discuss the benefits and limitations of the Commission’s policies for unlicensed devices. For example, should the Commission consider allowing unlicensed devices to operate at higher power levels in specific frequency bands and, if so, which bands? Does the Commission currently provide sufficient spectrum for unlicensed devices? To what extent do unlicensed devices satisfy the need for wireless broadband access to the Internet? Will the uncoordinated nature of unlicensed devices eventually, with widespread deployment, lead to interference that makes the devices unreliable? Are there steps the Commission should consider, such as the implementation of a spectrum etiquette, that would reduce interference among Part 15 devices and lead to more efficient use of the spectrum? Should the Commission expand the types of spectrum uses that can be authorized by rule? Panel 1: Role of Unlicensed Systems in Future Spectrum Management Policies Moderators: Co- moderator, to be determined, and Michael Marcus, FCC Michael Calabrese, New America Foundation Lawrence Lessig, Stanford Law School DeWayne Hendricks, Dandin Group David Reed, Reed. com Peter Hadinger, TRW Space & Electronics Group William Chamberlain, Cobra Electronics Robert Phaneuf, Harmonix Division of Terabeam Panel 2: Possible Evolutionary Improvements to Unlicensed Rules Moderators: Co- moderator, to be determined, and Michael Marcus, FCC Kevin Negus, Proxim Peirre DeVries, Microsoft Corporation Patrick Leary, Alvarion Dudley Freeman, UniiGo Communications Art Reilly, Cisco Systems Vanu Bose, Vanu, Inc. Ramesh Rao, San Diego Division, California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD 2 3 Carl Stevenson, IEEE 802.18 Radio Regulatory Technical Advisory Group and WECA Experimental Licenses: The experimental license program provides a means by which new technologies and concepts can be developed and evaluated. It also provides for limited market studies and technical demonstrations, as well as other research and study activities. This panel will discuss the successes and limitations of the experimental license program. Are any changes required to facilitate better use of this capability? Also, the Commission strives to be proactive in facilitating new technologies and services. Is the experimental licensing program providing sufficient information for this purpose? Can it be improved? If so, how? Panel: Moderators: Lauren Van Wazer, FCC, and Michael Marcus, FCC David Hilliard, Wiley Rein & Fielding Larry Solomon, Shook, Hardy & Bacon Michael Lynch, Nortel Networks David Borth, Motorola Leo Hoarty, Dotcast Karl Nebbia, NTIA Bruce Franca, FCC August 2 nd : Interference Protection: As the Commission considers how to provide opportunities for new technologies and radio services, a central issue is how to protect against harmful interference. The Commission rules define harmful interference as “[ i] nterference which endangers the functioning of a radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication service . . . .” 1 In a number of recent rulemaking proceedings, there have been wide differences in views about the meaning of harmful interference. For example, some have argued that degradation of link margins should be considered harmful interference, even where there would be no noticeable impact to the user. Interference standards that are overly conservative may prevent or impede the introduction of new services and technologies. On the other hand, interference standards that are too lax may have a detrimental impact on existing and planned services. Also, as the Commission provides increased flexibility for use of the spectrum, potential interference may be more difficult to predict. These panels will discuss ways in which the Commission can better evaluate and apply standards to control interference among users of the spectrum that allow for the proper balance between these objectives. 1 47 C. F. R. § 2.1. 3 4 Panel 1: Interference Challenges: Moderators: Dale Hatfield, consultant, and Keith Larson, FCC Lynn Claudy, National Association of Broadcasters Martin Rofheart, Xtreme Spectrum Glen Nash, APCO Robert Briskman, Sirius Satellite Radio Andrew Clegg, Cingular Rebecca Cowen- Hirsch, U. S. Department of Defense, Office of Spectrum Analysis and Management Paul Steffes, Georgia Tech, Commission On Radio Frequencies (CORF) Panel 2: Advanced Technologies: Moderators: Brian Woerner, Virginia Tech, and Ronald Repasi, FCC Raymond Pickholtz, George Washington University Douglas Lockie, Endwave Corp. Jack Wengryniuk, Hughes Network Systems Marc Goldberg, ArrayComm Panel 3: A Better Process: Moderators: Charles Jackson, consultant, and Thomas Stanley, FCC Dennis Miller, Rural Cellular Association and Midwest Wireless Phillip Barsky, XM Radio Nancy Jesuale, City of Portland Stephen Baruch, Leventhal, Senter & Lerman Dale Hatfield, consultant Mark Crosby, Access Spectrum John Storch, Western Wireless Audio/ Video coverage of the workshops will be broadcast live on the Internet from the FCC website at www. fcc. gov/ realaudio. Audio and video tapes of the workshops can be purchased from CACI Productions (formerly Infocus Media), 341 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170, by calling CACI at (703) 834- 1470 or by faxing CACI at (703) 834- 0111. For further information, contact Michael Marcus at (202) 418- 2418 voice, (202) 418- 1944 fax, and e- mail mmarcus@ fcc. gov. 4