FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN March 1,2016
The Honorable Tom Udall
United States Senate
531 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Udall:
Given your ongoing interest in LTE-U, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on
the status of our efforts to encourage an industry-driven process to enable fair coexistence
between LTE-U and other technologies in the unlicensed bands. As you are aware, the
Commission has been actively studying this issue, closely monitoring industry developments,
and meeting with stakeholders to encourage common ground solutions to concerns about
perceived spectrum sharing problems.
On January 29, 2016, the Office of Engineering and Technology granted Special
Temporary Authority ("STA") to Qualcomm to conduct very small scale performance evaluation
tests ofLTE-U equipment at two Verizon sites in Oklahoma City, O.K. and Raleigh, N.C. The
Wi-Fi Alliance recently submitted a letter expressing appreciation for Qualcomm's continued
engagement in coexistence work and voiced no objection to the grant of an STA for equipment
testing at Verizon facilities. The Wi-Fi Alliance and LTE-U advocates have made significant
progress towards developing a test plan to evaluate the coexistence ofLTE-U with Wi-Fi and
other devices operating in the unlicensed spectrum. We are hopeful that they can resolve the
remaining issues and finalize the test plan soon.
While Qualcomm and Verizon have agreed to participate in subsequent laboratory and
real world co-existence testing of LTE-U, significant steps remain before LTE-U can be
considered for commercial deployment. Experimental LTE-U device operation at any other
location would require a new STA. Also, LTE-U devices will require equipment authorization
by the FCC Laboratory before they can be marketed in the United States and applicants for
certification will be required to submit sample devices for testing.
I believe that with the dedicated efforts of our staff and the cooperation of industry
stakeholders, we have already made significant progress and we will continue to move toward a
favorable resolution of this matter.
Sincerel
Y'lf4t
~eler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN March 1,2016
The Honorable Brian Schatz
United States Senate
722 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Schatz:
Given your ongoing interest in LTE-U, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on
the status of our efforts to encourage an industry-driven process to enable fair coexistence
between LTE-U and other technologies in the unlicensed bands. As you are aware, the
Commission has been actively studying this issue, closely monitoring industry developments,
and meeting with stakeholders to encourage common ground solutions to concerns about
perceived spectrum sharing problems.
On January 29,2016, the Office of Engineering and Technology granted Special
Temporary Authority ("STA") to Qualcomm to conduct very small scale performance evaluation
tests ofLTE-U equipment at two Verizon sites in Oklahoma City, O.K. and Raleigh, N.C. The
Wi-Fi Alliance recently submitted a letter expressing appreciation for Qualcomm's continued
engagement in coexistence work and voiced no objection to the grant of an STA for equipment
testing at Verizon facilities. The Wi-Fi Alliance and LTE-U advocates have made significant
progress towards developing a test plan to evaluate the coexistence of LTE-U with Wi-Fi and
other devices operating in the unlicensed spectrum. We are hopeful that they can resolve the
remaining issues and finalize the test plan soon.
While Qualcomm and Verizon have agreed to participate in subsequent laboratory and
real world co-existence testing of LTE-U, significant steps remain before LTE-U can be
considered for commercial deployment. Experimental LTE-U device operation at any other
location would require a new STA. Also, LTE-U devices will require equipment authorization
by the FCC Laboratory before they can be marketed in the United States and applicants for
certification will be required to submit sample devices for testing.
I believe that with the dedicated efforts of our staff and the cooperation of industry
stakeholders, we have already made significant progress and we will continue to move toward a
favorable resolution of this matter.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN March 1,2016
The Honorable Claire McCaskill
United States Senate
730 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator McCaskill:
Given your ongoing interest in LTE-U, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on
the status of our efforts to encourage an industry-driven process to enable fair coexistence
between LTE-U and other technologies in the unlicensed bands. As you are aware, the
Commission has been actively studying this issue, closely monitoring industry developments,
and meeting with stakeholders to encourage common ground solutions to concerns about
perceived spectrum sharing problems.
On January 29, 2016, the Office of Engineering and Technology granted Special
Temporary Authority ("ST A") to Qualcomm to conduct very small scale performance evaluation
tests ofLTE-U equipment at two Verizon sites in Oklahoma City, O.K. and Raleigh, N.C. The
Wi-Fi Alliance recently submitted a letter expressing appreciation for Qualcomm's continued
engagement in coexistence work and voiced no objection to the grant of an STA for equipment
testing at Verizon facilities. The Wi-Fi Alliance and LTE-U advocates have made significant
progress towards developing a test plan to evaluate the coexistence ofLTE-U with Wi-Fi and
other devices operating in the unlicensed spectrum. We are hopeful that they can resolve the
remaining issues and finalize the test plan soon.
While Qualcomm and Verizon have agreed to participate in subsequent laboratory and
real world co-existence testing of LTE-U, significant steps remain before LTE-U can be
considered for commercial deployment. Experimental LTE-U device operation at any other
location would require a new STA. Also, LTE-U devices will require equipment authorization
by the FCC Laboratory before they can be marketed in the United States and applicants for
certification will be required to submit sample devices for testing.
I believe that with the dedicated efforts of our staff and the cooperation of industry
stakeholders, we have already made significant progress and we will continue to move toward a
favorable resolution of this matter.
" Sincere#~ C-
~heeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN March 1,2016
The Honorable Edward J. Markey
United States Senate
255 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Markey:
Given your ongoing interest in LTE-U, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on
the status of our efforts to encourage an industry-driven process to enable fair coexistence
between LTE-U and other technologies in the unlicensed bands. As you are aware, the
Commission has been actively studying this issue, closely monitoring industry developments,
and meeting with stakeholders to encourage common ground solutions to concerns about
perceived spectrum sharing problems.
On January 29, 2016, the Office of Engineering and Technology granted Special
Temporary Authority ("STA") to Qualcomm to conduct very small scale performance evaluation
tests ofLTE-U equipment at two Verizon sites in Oklahoma City, O.K. and Raleigh, N.C. The
Wi-Fi Alliance recently submitted a letter expressing appreciation for Qualcomm's continued
engagement in coexistence work and voiced no objection to the grant of an STA for equipment
testing at Verizon facilities. The Wi-Fi Alliance and LTE-U advocates have made significant
progress towards developing a test plan to evaluate the coexistence of LTE-U with Wi-Fi and
other devices operating in the unlicensed spectrum. We are hopeful that they can resolve the
remaining issues and finalize the test plan soon.
While Qualcomm and Verizon have agreed to participate in subsequent laboratory and
real world co-existence testing of LTE-U, significant steps remain before LTE-U can be
considered for commercial deployment. Experimental LTE-U device operation at any other
location would require a new STA. Also, LTE-U devices will require equipment authorization
by the FCC Laboratory before they can be marketed in the United States and applicants for
certification will be required to submit sample devices for testing.
I believe that with the dedicated efforts of our staff and the cooperation of industry
stakeholders, we have already made significant progress and we will continue to move toward a
favorable resolution of this matter.
Sincerely, ~ ~
~ l/Q;" L---
~eeler y
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
TH E CHAI R MAN March 1,2016
The Honorable Maria Cantwell
United States Senate
511 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Cantwell:
Given your ongoing interest in LTE-U, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on
the status of our efforts to encourage an industry-driven process to enable fair coexistence
between LTE-U and other technologies in the unlicensed bands. As you are aware, the
Commission has been actively studying this issue, closely monitoring industry developments,
and meeting with stakeholders to encourage common ground solutions to concerns about
perceived spectrum sharing problems.
On January 29,2016, the Office of Engineering and Technology granted Special
Temporary Authority ("ST A") to Qualcomm to conduct very small scale performance evaluation
tests ofLTE-U equipment at two Verizon sites in Oklahoma City, O.K. and Raleigh, N.C. The
Wi-Fi Alliance recently submitted a letter expressing appreciation for Qualcomm's continued
engagement in coexistence work and voiced no objection to the grant of an STA for equipment
testing at Verizon facilities. The Wi-Fi Alliance and LTE-U advocates have made significant
progress towards developing a test plan to evaluate the coexistence ofLTE-U with Wi-Fi and
other devices operating in the unlicensed spectrum. We are hopeful that they can resolve the
remaining issues and finalize the test plan soon.
While Qualcomm and Verizon have agreed to participate in subsequent laboratory and
real world co-existence testing of LTE-U, significant steps remain before LTE-U can be
considered for commercial deployment. Experimental LTE-U device operation at any other
location would require a new STA. Also, LTE-U devices will require equipment authorization
by the FCC Laboratory before they can be marketed in the United States and applicants for
certification will be required to submit sample devices for testing.
I believe that with the dedicated efforts of our staff and the cooperation of industry
stakeholders, we have already made significant progress and we will continue to move toward a
favorable resolution of this matter.
Sincerely,~t£
~~eeler
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN March 1,2016
The Honorable Richard Blumenthal
United States Senate
706 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Blumenthal:
Given your ongoing interest in LTE-U, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on
the status of our efforts to encourage an industry-driven process to enable fair coexistence
between LTE-U and other technologies in the unlicensed bands. As you are aware, the
Commission has been actively studying this issue, closely monitoring industry developments,
and meeting with stakeholders to encourage common ground solutions to concerns about
perceived spectrum sharing problems.
On January 29, 2016, the Office of Engineering and Technology granted Special
Temporary Authority ("STA") to Qualcomm to conduct very small scale performance evaluation
tests ofLTE-U equipment at two Verizon sites in Oklahoma City, O.K. and Raleigh, N.C. The
Wi-Fi Alliance recently submitted a letter expressing appreciation for Qualcomm's continued
engagement in coexistence work and voiced no objection to the grant of an STA for equipment
testing at Verizon facilities. The Wi-Fi Alliance and LTE-U advocates have made significant
progress towards developing a test plan to evaluate the coexistence ofLTE-U with Wi-Fi and
other devices operating in the unlicensed spectrum. We are hopeful that they can resolve the
remaining issues and finalize the test plan soon.
While Qualcomm and Verizon have agreed to participate in subsequent laboratory and
real world co-existence testing of LTE-U, significant steps remain before LTE-U can be
considered for commercial deployment. Experimental LTE-U device operation at any other
location would require a new STA. Also, LTE-U devices will require equipment authorization
by the FCC Laboratory before they can be marketed in the United States and applicants for
certification will be required to submit sample devices for testing.
I believe that with the dedicated efforts of our staff and the cooperation of industry
stakeholders, we have already made significant progress and we will continue to move toward a
favorable resolution ofthis matter.
~;;:~,~
Tom Wheeler