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 15-1255 Released: November 6, 2015 WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU ANNOUNCES THAT THE ENTERPRISE WIRELESS ALLIANCE MAY BEGIN FREQUENCY COORDINATION OF MBAN EQUIPMENT By this Public Notice, we announce that the Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) is authorized to serve as the frequency coordinator for Medical Body Area Network (MBAN) operations in the 2360- 2390 MHz band. On May 24, 2012, the Commission adopted a First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking amending its Part 95 Rules to authorize the operation of MBAN devices in the 2360-2400 MHz band.1 MBAN technology will provide a flexible platform for the wireless networking of multiple body transmitters used for measuring and recording physiological parameters and other patient information or for performing diagnostic or therapeutic functions, primarily in health care facilities.2 The Commission determined that it should designate an MBAN frequency coordinator to ensure interference-free sharing of the band.3 On August 20, 2014, it adopted an Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order addressing, inter alia, issues related to MBAN coordination.4 Among other things, the Commission in the Second Report and Order set forth minimum qualifying criteria for an MBAN frequency coordinator, mandated that initially only a single such coordinator be selected, and delegated authority to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) to select the MBAN frequency coordinator.5 Under the Commission’s Rules, a health care facility, as defined in Section 95.1203 of the Commission’s Rules,6 is required to register an MBAN device capable of operating in the 2360-2390 MHz band with the MBAN coordinator.7 If the health care facility intends to operate MBAN devices 1 See Amendment of the Commission’s Rules to Provide Spectrum for the Operation of Medical Body Area Networks, First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, ET Docket No. 08-59, 27 FCC Rcd 6422 (2012). 2 Id. at 6423 ¶ 1. 3 Id. at 6450-57 ¶¶ 62-74. 4 See Amendment of the Commission’s Rules to Provide Spectrum for the Operation of Medical Body Area Networks, Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order, ET Docket No. 08-59, 29 FCC Rcd 10662 (2014). 5 Id. at 10681-83 ¶¶ 58-66. 6 47 C.F.R. § 95.1203. 7 See 47 C.F.R. § 95.1223(a). only in the 2390-2400 MHz band, then the MBAN coordinator will simply include the pertinent registration data in the MBAN database. If operation in the 2360-2390 MHz band is proposed, the MBAN coordinator must determine whether the proposed MBAN location will be within line-of-site of an aeronautical mobile telemetry (AMT) receiver, and, if so, work in cooperation with the AMT frequency coordinator – the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council – and the affected health care facility to mitigate the interference risk.8 On November 10, 2014, the Bureau’s Mobility Division (Division) released a Public Notice establishing a filing window for requests to be designated as the MBAN frequency coordinator.9 Two entities filed requests to be the MBAN frequency coordinator: EWA and the American Society for Health Care Engineering of the American Hospital Association (ASHE/AHA). On February 11, 2015, the Division released an Order that found both parties to be qualified to be designated as an MBAN frequency coordinator.10 Because the Bureau has been delegated authority to select only one frequency coordinator, the Division compared the two parties and selected ASHE/AHA to serve as MBAN frequency coordinator.11 On October 23, 2015, however, ASHE/AHA withdrew its request to be certified as the MBAN frequency coordinator.12 Consequently, we designate EWA as the MBAN frequency coordinator. The Order stated that the designation of the MBAN frequency coordinator would take effect upon the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the coordinator’s responsibilities and authority.13 EWA and the Bureau have signed the MOU. Accordingly, EWA is authorized to begin frequency coordination of MBAN equipment. Health care providers must secure frequency coordination from EWA before deploying MBAN equipment capable of operating in the 2360-2390 MHz band. To secure frequency coordination, they must be prepared to provide EWA with (1) the specific frequencies or frequency range(s) within the 2360-2390 MHz band to be used, and the capabilities of the MBAN equipment to use the 2390-2400 MHz band; (2) the effective isotropic power; (3) the number of control transmitters in use at the health 8 See 47 C.F.R. § 95.1225(b)(2). 9 See Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Opens Filing Window for Requests to be the Frequency Coordinator for Medical Body Area Networks, Public Notice, ET Docket No. 08-59, 29 FCC Rcd 13750 (WTB MD 2014). The Public Notice reiterated the minimum qualifying criteria that had been established by the Commission, noting that coordinator applicants are required to have (1) the ability to register and maintain a database of MBAN transmitter locations and operational parameters; (2) knowledge of or experience with medical wireless systems in health care facilities (e.g., Wireless Medical Telemetry Service); (3) knowledge of or experience with AMT operations; (4) the ability to calculate and measure interference potential between MBAN and AMT operations, and to enter into mutually satisfactory coordination agreements with the AMT coordinator based on the requirements in Section 95.1223(c) of the Commission’s Rules; and (5) the ability to develop procedures to ensure that registered health care facilities operate an MBAN consistent with the requirements in Section 95.1223. 10 Amendment of the Commission’s Rules to Provide Spectrum for the Operation of Medical Body Area Networks, Order, 30 FCC Rcd 1173, 1175 ¶ 5 (WTB MD 2015) (Order). 11 Id. at 1176 ¶ 12. 12 See Letter dated Oct. 23, 2015 from Dale Woodin, Executive Director, ASHE/AHA to Scot Stone Deputy Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Federal Communications Commission. 13 See Order, 30 FCC Rcd at 1177 ¶ 16. care facility, including manufacturer name(s) and model numbers and FCC identification number; (4) the legal name of the health care facility; (5) the location of control transmitters (e.g., geographic coordinates, street address, building); (6) the point of contact for the health care facility (e.g., name, title, office, phone number, fax number, email address); and (7) a point of contact for the health care facility that is responsibility for ensuring that an MBAN ceases operating in all or a portion of the 2360-2390 MHz band in the event of interference. Regarding EWA frequency coordination of MBAN equipment, please contact: Mark E. Crosby Enterprise Wireless Alliance 2121 Cooperative Way, Suite 225, Herndon, VA 20171 703-797-5114 (telephone), 703-524-1074 (fax), mark.crosby@enterprisewireless.org. The MBAN regulations appear in Subpart I of Part 95 of the FCC’s rules.14 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 http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi- bin/ECFR?page=browse. 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, (866) 512-1800, ContactCenter@gpo.gov. For further information, contact Jeffrey Tobias of the Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at (202) 418-1617, TTY (202) 418-7233, jeff.tobias@fcc.gov. By the Deputy Chief, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. – FCC – 14 47 C.F.R. §§ 95.1201-1225.