*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 8874.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 CONTACTS: May 10, 2001 Maureen Peratino at 202- 418- 0506 COMMISSION PROPOSES AMENDMENTS TO PART 15 OF RULES TO FACILITATE DEPLOYMENT OF NEW HIGH SPEED WIRELESS DEVICES Washington, DC – The FCC today proposed to revise its rules for spread spectrum systems to reduce the amount of spectrum that must be used for frequency hopping spread spectrum systems operating in the 2.4 GHz band (2400- 2483.5 MHz), and to eliminate the processing gain requirement for direct sequence spread spectrum systems. It also proposed to allow new digital transmission technologies to operate pursuant to the same rules as spread spectrum systems. These actions will facilitate the continued development and deployment of new wireless devices for businesses and consumers. Two types of spread spectrum are permitted to operate on a non- licensed basis under Part 15 of the rules. Frequency hopping spread spectrum systems spread their energy by changing, or “hopping,” the center frequency of the modulated signal. In direct sequence spread spectrum systems, the information data stream is combined with a high speed digital spreading code to produce a signal with a relatively wide bandwidth. In both cases, the spreading reduces the power density of the signal at any frequency over the transmitted bandwidth, thereby reducing the probability of causing interference to other signals occupying the band. New digital technologies have been developed that have spectrum characteristics similar to spread spectrum systems, but cannot be authorized under the current rules because the rules limit operation only to spread spectrum systems. The Commission proposed to remove this restriction. This proposal would provide the flexibility and certainty needed to promote the introduction of new, non- interfering products, without the need for frequent rules changes to address each specific new technology that may be developed. In conjunction with the above proposal, the Commission also granted a blanket interim waiver to allow new digital technologies that meet the existing rules for direct sequence spread spectrum systems to obtain FCC equipment certification prior to the adoption of final rules in this proceeding, with a maximum peak power limit of 100 mW. 1 At the same time, it affirmed a staff decision denying the application for equipment certification for a Wideband Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing system filed by Wi- LAN, Inc., but directed the staff to consider the application pursuant to the provisions of the interim waiver. Action by the Commission May 10, 2001, by Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Order (FCC 01- 158). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth and Tristani. Office of Engineering and Technology contact: Neal McNeil at (202) 418- 2408. ET Docket 99- 231 - FCC - 2