*Pages 1--1 from  Microsoft Word - 1360.doc*
 NEWS  News  Media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  TTY  202  /  418-  2555  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  ftp.  fcc.  gov  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12  th  Street,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  This  is  an  unofficial  announcement  of  Commission  action.  Release  of  the  full  text  of  a  Commission  order  Constitutes  official  action.  See  MCI  v.  FCC.  515  F  2d  385  (D.  C.  Circ  1974). 
 FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:  News  Media  Contact: 
 May  10,  2000  Rosemary  Kimball  at  (202)  418-  0511 


 NEW  PUBLIC  SAFETY  APPLICATIONS  AND  BROADBAND  INTERNET  ACCESS  AMONG 
 USES  ENVISIONED  BY  FCC  CONSIDERATION  OF  ULTRA-  WIDEBAND  TECHNOLOGY 


 Washington,  DC  --  Today,  the  Commission  adopted  a  proposal  to  consider  permitting  the 
 operation  of  ultra-  wideband  (UWB)  technology  on  an  unlicensed  basis,  which  could  have 
 enormous  benefits  for  public  safety,  consumers  and  businesses.  UWB  devices  appear  to  be  able  to 
 operate  on  spectrum  already  occupied  by  existing  radio  services  without  causing  interference.  It 
 could  permit  scarce  spectrum  resources  to  be  used  more  efficiently,  a  core  responsibility  of  the 
 Commission  in  its  role  as  the  nation’s  spectrum  manager. 


 The  Commission  is  seeking  comments  on  its  proposal,  which  would  pave  the  way  for  a  vast 
 array  of  new  products  incorporating  UWB  technology.  Recent  advances  in  UWB  technology  have 
 resulted  in  its  potential  use  for  a  variety  of  applications  such  as  radar  imaging  of  objects  buried 
 under  the  ground  or  behind  walls  and  short-  range,  high-  speed  data  transmissions  suitable  for 
 broadband  access  to  the  Internet.  UWB  communications  devices  can  also  be  used  by  police,  fire  and 
 rescue  personnel  to  provide  covert  secure  communications.  Several  parties  also  note  that  UWB 
 devices  can  be  used  for  a  variety  of  communications  applications  involving  the  transmission  of  very 
 high  data  rates  over  short  distances  without  interference.  Such  devices  can  be  used  to  distribute 
 wirelessly  services  such  as  phone,  cable  and  computer  networking  throughout  a  building  or  home. 


 In  its  consideration  of  proposals  for  the  authorization  of  UWB  technology,  the  Commission 
 has  committed  to  ensuring  that  safety  services,  such  as  the  Global  Positioning  System  (GPS),  are 
 protected  against  harmful  interference.  To  ensure  this  protection,  the  Commission  noted  that 
 further  testing  and  analysis  would  be  needed  before  UWB  technology  could  be  authorized  to 
 operate  in  the  bands  used  for  these  services.  The  Commission  stressed,  in  particular,  the  need  for 
 further  testing  and  analysis  in  bands  below  2  GHz.  It  said  such  testing  is  already  being  planned  by  a 
 number  of  organizations,  including  the  Department  of  Transportation  and  the  National 
 Telecommunications  Information  Administration.  The  Commission  noted  that  it  would  provide 
 ample  opportunity  to  complete  these  tests  and  ensure  that  the  analysis  of  the  test  results  are 
 submitted  in  the  record  for  public  comment  before  adopting  any  final  rules.  The  Commission  asked 
 that  all  test  results  be  submitted  for  the  record  by  October  30,  2000. 


 Action  by  the  Commission  May  10,  2000,  by  Notice  of  Proposed  Rulemaking  (FCC  00- 
 163).  Chairman  Kennard,  Commissioners  Ness,  Furchtgott-  Roth,  Powell  and  Tristani. 


 -  FCC  – 
 ET  Docket  98-  153 
 OET  contact:  John  Reed  at  (202)  418-  2455 
1