Fcc - SeattleWireless

They make the rules for spectrum, power output, etc.

12/12/02: Considering expanding part 15 rules

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Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 09:29:25 -0700 (MST)
To: isp-wireless@isp-wireless.com


Chairman Michael Powell of the FCC, just made what may be the most
important policy speech regarding the future of spectrum management, at
the University of Colorado last week.

[http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Powell/2002/spmkp212.html http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Powell/2002/spmkp212.html] FccBroadbandMigration3

Read it. For the FIRST time he is indicating there are technical solutions
to the interference problems, and there can be 'more' licenced AND
unlicensed spectrum allocated for wireless. And for the first time they
are going to look at the quality of RECIEVERs, and not just transmitters,
to handle interference.

By mid December there will be an Notice of Inquiry (NOI) published which
will throw out lots of new potential rules for better use of the spectrum.

This the FIRST time he has not just said 'let the marketplace' sort it
out, or that those who bid billions for spectrum have some inaniable right
to exclusive use of 'their' spectrum. And that is the first time, even
though he is a very conservative appointee, that he admits there may be a
'public interest' and not just the sum of private interests - like
absolute spectrum 'property' rights.

Somebody has given him a technical education - and I suspect it was Dale
Hatfield who was the OET boss when he was first there, now at the Univ of
Colorado.

Really really important first straw in the wind of FCC spectrum management
change which takes technological promise of better transmitters and
receivers and using the 4th dimension of 'time' as a factor to be
considered ( that at any given instant, very little spectrum is in 'use' -
with proper processors that 'time' can be shared much better)

But those of us into spread spectrum knew that all the time, right?

Dave Hughes
dave@oldcolo.com