FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Tammy Baldwin United States Senate 717 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Baldwin: August 20, 2015 Thank you for your letter requesting that the Commission delay consideration of technical rules for the use of Channel 37 by unlicensed TV White Space devices. I understand and share your concerns that Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) continue to provide for critical patient monitoring without harmful interference. In recognition of these shared concerns, I have consistently stated that we will continue to provide for protected operation of these services in Channel 37. As you are aware, the Spectrum Act permitted the relocation of WMTS and radio astronomy services from Channel 37. After significant analysis, the Commission determined that these important services could remain in Channel 37 without compromising the goals of the Spectrum Act. Additionally, I am encouraged that the WMTS Coalition and parties are continuing to discuss options for sharing this spectrum, and I look forward to any proposals the parties may bring to the Commission. However, it is important that we provide as much certainty as possible for operations in and next to Channel 37 to avoid delaying the incentive auction. For this reason, the Commission unanimously adopted the Report and Order at the August 6, 2015, Commission meeting. The Report and Order adopted by the Commission includes a number of strong protections for WMTS. In all cases, white space device operators have the obligation to protect WMTS systems from harmful interference and eliminate such interference if it should occur. I am confident that the adopted rules provide many of the protections sought by the WMTS Coalition and a framework for continuing discussions between the stakeholders. First, the separation distances are more conservative than originally proposed by the Commission in the fall. In fact, the testing submitted by the WMTS Coalition in July shows no interference to WMTS at distances ranging from 303 meters to 341 meters, well within the 380 meter separation distance adopted by the Commission. Second, should the default protection distances be too small or large for any particular facility, the Order adopts a process for the medical facility and white space device operator to agree on parameters that best suit a particular facility. Page 2-The Honorable Tammy Baldwin Third, the Order makes clear that we will not authorize unlicensed use of Channel 37 until we conduct real world testing in a few locations. These beta trials will allow the Commission, the Federal Drug Administration, medical facilities. and white space device operators to test the parameters provided in the Order and determine if any adjustments are needed. Finally, as requested by the WMTS Coalition, the Report and Order provides a process for a medical facility to immediately restrict nearby unlicensed use of Channel 3 7 if harmful interference occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Amy Klobuchar United States Senate 302 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Klobuchar: August 20, 2015 Thank you for your letter requesting that the Commission delay consideration of technical rules for the use of Channel 37 by unlicensed TV White Space devices. I understand and share your concerns that Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) continue to provide for critical patient monitoring without harmful interference. In recognition of these shared concerns, I have consistently stated that we will continue to provide for protected operation of these services in Channel 37. As you are aware, the Spectrum Act permitted the relocation of WMTS and radio astronomy services from Channel 37. After significant analysis, the Commission determined that these important services could remain in Channel 37 without compromising the goals of the Spectrum Act. Additionally, I am encouraged that the WMTS Coalition and parties are continuing to discuss options for sharing this spectrum, and I look forward to any proposals the parties may bring to the Commission. However, it is important that we provide as much certainty as possible for operations in and next to Channel 37 to avoid delaying the incentive auction. For this reason, the Commission unanimously adopted the Report and Order at the August 6, 2015 , Commission meeting. The Report and Order adopted by the Commission includes a number of strong protections for WMTS. In all cases, white space device operators have the obligation to protect WMTS systems from harmful interference and eliminate such interference if it should occur. I am confident that the adopted rules provide many of the protections sought by the WMTS Coalition and a framework for continuing discussions between the stakeholders. First, the separation distances are more conservative than originally proposed by the Commission in the fall. In fact , the testing submitted by the WMTS Coalition in July shows no interference to WMTS at distances ranging from 303 meters to 341 meters, well within the 380 meter separation distance adopted by the Commission. Second, should the default protection distances be too small or large for any particular facility, the Order adopts a process for the medical facility and white space device operator to agree on parameters that best suit a particular facility. Page 2-The Honorable Amy Klobuchar Third, the Order makes clear that we will not authorize unlicensed use of Channel 3 7 until we conduct real world testing in a few locations. These beta trials will allow the Commission, the Federal Drug Administration, medical facilities , and white space device operators to test the parameters provided in the Order and determine if any adjustments are needed. Finally, as requested by the WMTS Coalition, the Report and Order provides a process for a medical facility to immediately restrict nearby unlicensed use of Channel 3 7 if harmful interference occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please Jet me know if I can be of any further assistance. Sincerely,~~ ~eeler FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN The Honorable Debbie Stabenow United States Senate 133 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator Stabenow: August 20, 2015 Thank you for your letter requesting that the Commission delay consideration of technical rules for the use of Channel 3 7 by unlicensed TV White Space devices. I understand and share your concerns that Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) continue to provide for critical patient monitoring without harmful interference. In recognition of these shared concerns, I have consistently stated that we will continue to provide for protected operation of these services in Channel 37. As you are aware, the Spectrum Act permitted the relocation of WMTS and radio astronomy services from Channel 3 7. After significant analysis, the Commission determined that these important services could remain in Channel 37 without compromising the goals of the Spectrum Act. Additionally, I am encouraged that the WMTS Coalition and parties are continuing to discuss options for sharing this spectrum, and I look forward to any proposals the parties may bring to the Commission. However, it is important that we provide as much certainty as possible for operations in and next to Channel 37 to avoid delaying the incentive auction. For thi s reason, the Commission unanimously adopted the Report and Order at the August 6, 20 15, Commiss ion meeting. The Report and Order adopted by the Commission includes a number of strong protections for WMTS. In all cases, white space device operators have the obligation to protect WMTS systems from harmful interference and eliminate such interference if it should occur. I am confident that the adopted rules provide many of the protections sought by the WMTS Coalition and a framework for continuing discussions between the stakeholders. First, the separation distances are more conservative than originally proposed by the Commission in the fall. In fact, the testing submitted by the WMTS Coalition in July shows no interference to WMTS at distances ranging from 303 meters to 341 meters, well within the 380 meter separation distance adopted by the Commission. Second, should the default protection distances be too small or large fo r any particular facility, the Order adopts a process for the medical facility and white space device operator to agree on parameters that best suit a particular facility. Page 2-The Honorable Debbie Stabenow Third, the Order makes clear that we will not authorize unlicensed use of Channel 3 7 until we conduct real world testing in a few locations. These beta trials will allow the Commission, the Federal Drug Administration, medical facilities, and white space device operators to test the parameters provided in the Order and determine if any adjustments are needed. Finally, as requested by the WMTS Coalition, the Report and Order provides a process for a medical facility to immediately restrict nearby unlicensed use of Channel 3 7 if harmful interference occurs. I appreciate your interest in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.