*Pages 1--2 from  Microsoft Word - 23646.doc*
 NEWS  News  media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  TTY  202/  418-  2555  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:  December  11,  2002  Lisa  Gaisford  at  (202)  418-  7280 
 FCC  BEGINS  INQUIRY  REGARDING  ADDITIONAL  SPECTRUM  FOR  UNLICENSED  DEVICES 
 As  part  of  the  ongoing  effort  to  promote  efficient  use  of  spectrum,  the  FCC  today  asked  for  public  comment  on  the  possibility  of  permitting  unlicensed  transmitters  to  operate  in  additional  frequency  bands. 
 Such  changes  could  allow  the  development  of  new  and  innovative  types  of  unlicensed  devices.  This  inquiry  examines  new  and  creative  ways  to  utilize  the  spectrum  resource  more  efficiently  by  considering 
 new  spectral  frontiers  for  unlicensed  use. 
 In  a  Notice  of  Inquiry  approved  today,  the  Commission  stated  that  the  current  rules  for  unlicensed  transmitters  have  been  a  tremendous  success.  A  wide  variety  of  devices  have  been  developed  and 
 introduced  under  those  rules  for  consumer  and  business  use,  including  cordless  telephones,  home  security  systems,  electronic  toys,  anti-  pilfering  and  inventory  control  systems,  and  computer  wireless  local  area 
 networks.  The  success  of  those  rules  shows  that  there  could  be  significant  benefits  to  the  economy,  businesses  and  consumers  in  making  additional  spectrum  available  for  unlicensed  transmitters. 
 Unlicensed  transmitters  may  be  operated  under  the  provisions  of  Part  15  of  the  Commission’s  Rules.  Part  15  transmitters  generally  operate  on  frequencies  shared  with  authorized  services  at  relatively  low  power, 
 levels  and  must  operate  on  a  non-  interference  basis. 
 The  Notice  seeks  comments  on  whether  unlicensed  operations  should  be  permitted  in  additional  frequency  bands.  Specifically,  it  seeks  comments  on  the  feasibility  of  allowing  unlicensed  devices  to 
 operate  in  the  TV  broadcast  spectrum  and  locations  and  times  when  spectrum  is  not  being  used.  It  also  seeks  comment  on  the  feasibility  of  permitting  unlicensed  devices  to  operate  in  other  bands,  such  as  the 
 3650-  3700  MHz  band,  at  power  levels  higher  than  other  unlicensed  transmitters  with  only  the  minimal  technical  requirements  necessary  to  prevent  interference  to  licensed  services. 


 The  Commission  noted  that  there  have  been  significant  advances  in  technology  that  may  make  it  feasible  to  design  new  types  of  unlicensed  devices  that  are  able  to  share  spectrum  in  the  TV  bands  without  causing 
 interference  to  licensed  services  operating  in  those  bands.  Advances  in  computer  technology  make  it  possible  to  design  equipment  that  could  monitor  the  spectrum  to  detect  frequencies  already  in  use  and 
 ensure  that  transmissions  only  occur  on  open  frequencies.  The  low  cost  of  GPS  equipment  could  allow  a  device  to  determine  its  location  and  use  information  from  a  database  to  determine  whether  there  are  any 
 licensed  operations  in  its  vicinity.  Equipment  can  be  designed  that  is  frequency  agile,  with  the  capability  of  changing  frequency  as  needed  to  avoid  interference  to  licensed  users. 


 Action  by  the  Commission  December  11,  2002  by  Notice  of  Inquiry  (FCC  02-  328).  Chairman  Powell,  Commissioners  Abernathy  and  Copps,  with  Commissioner  Martin  approving  in  part  and 
 dissenting  in  part,  Commissioner  Adelstein  not  participating  and  Chairman  Powell,  Commissioners  Abernathy,  Copps  and  Martin  issuing  separate  statements. 


 OET  Docket  No.  02-  380  -  FCC  - 
1
 Office  of  Engineering  &  Technology  Contact:  Hugh  L.  Van  Tuyl  (202)  418-  7506 
2