Media Contact: 
Will Wiquist, (202) 418-0509
will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC GRANTS LIMITED, CONDITIONAL WAIVER TO SUPPORT WIRELESS MEDICAL TELEMETRY SERVICES
Wireless Bureau Allows TerreStar to Launch Its Services to Reduce Interference Risks and Expand Spectrum Available for Life-Saving Services
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WASHINGTON, April 30, 2020—The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau today adopted a conditional waiver to allow TerreStar to begin offering wireless medical telemetry services (WMTS) in the 1.4 GHz band.  With the COVID-19 outbreak causing increased reliance on medical telemetry monitoring in hospitals and on telehealth in general, this action will help ensure that traditional health care facilities have more spectrum capacity to meet a surge of additional monitoring demands that may occur in emergencies.  It also will enable the development and use of monitoring services in non-traditional settings outside hospitals.

“It’s important that we do what we can to support telehealth and the tools used by health care professionals during this health crisis,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.  “This limited waiver will provide an opportunity to expand spectrum available for critically needed services while avoiding costly interference at a time when we cannot afford it.  This should put us in a better position to face future medical challenges.”

In 2017, the Bureau found that TerreStar had not met its license requirements for use of the spectrum it had been licensed.  For purposes of the instant grant of a conditional waiver, the Bureau reviewed new information raised in petitions for reconsideration by TerreStar, the American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association, GE Healthcare, and Philips Healthcare regarding the interference potential to the wireless medical telemetry service and the need for additional WMTS spectrum for the benefit of public health and safety.  It also took into consideration TerreStar’s commitment to “provide spectrum capacity and frequency planning and coordination services, free of charge, outside of registered WMTS healthcare facilities in support of any future national public health emergency declared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”  The waiver approved today includes strict conditions requiring TerreStar to use its licensed spectrum for wireless medical telemetry services.  

A primary responsibility of the FCC is to ensure that spectrum is put to its best use by licensees for the benefit of the American people.  Today’s action will allow the spectrum to be used in a way that will result in substantial public interest benefits.

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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. Cir. 1974).