# ![](media/image1.png){width="0.6541666666666667in" height="0.6604166666666667in"}PUBLIC NOTICE

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

445 12th Street, S.W., TW-A325

[WASHINGTON, DC 20554 DA 02-1816]{.underline}

News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On Demand 202/418-2830 Internet:
http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov

**Released: July 26, 2002**

**SPECTRUM POLICY TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES PANELISTS FOR THE AUGUST 1st
PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON**

**UNLICENSED SPECTRUM AND EXPERIMENTAL LICENSES AND THE AUGUST 2nd
PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON**

**INTERFERENCE PROTECTION**

**ET Docket No. 02-135**

As previously announced by a Public Notice released on July 10, 2002,
the Spectrum Policy Task Force will hold the first two in a series of
four public workshops addressing spectrum policy issues on August 1^st^
and August 2^nd^. The August 1^st^ workshop will address issues related
to Unlicensed Spectrum and Experimental Licenses. The August 2^nd^
workshop will address issues related to Interference Protection. Each
workshop will be held from 9 am to 3 pm in the Commission Meeting Room,
445 12^th^ Street, S.W., Washington, DC.

The Spectrum Policy Task Force is charged with conducting a systemic
evaluation of existing spectrum policies and with making recommendations
as to possible improvements. These workshops will provide input into
this review. Throughout the course of the panels, there will be the
opportunity for questions from the public audience.

The following agenda provides the names and affiliations of the invited
panelists. Additional participants may be confirmed prior to the event.
The final list will be published on the Spectrum Policy Task Force web
site at www.fcc.gov/SPTF.

**[August 1^st^: Unlicensed Spectrum and Experimental
Licenses:]{.underline}**

[Unlicensed Spectrum:]{.underline}

The Commission has provided for the operation of low power unlicensed
devices under Part 15 of the rules. Devices operating under Part 15 must
meet technical standards that are designed to control harmful
interference to radio communications services. Users must correct any
harmful interference that may occur and must accept any interference
that is received. The Part 15 rules accommodate millions of products
used by consumers and businesses including, cordless telephones, garage
door openers, anti-pilferage systems, wireless local area networks, RF
identification systems, and a broad range of other applications. Most
recently, industry has developed standards, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth,
that are enabling deployment of broadband digital applications for
community use and at wireless access points. The Commission has also
attempted to facilitate public access to spectrum-based services that
are authorized by rules (*e.g*., Citizens Band Radio Service, Family
Radio Service, Multi-Use Radio Service.)

These panels will discuss the benefits and limitations of the
Commission's policies for unlicensed devices. For example, should the
Commission consider allowing unlicensed devices to operate at higher
power levels in specific frequency bands and, if so, which bands? Does
the Commission currently provide sufficient spectrum for unlicensed
devices? To what extent do unlicensed devices satisfy the need for
wireless broadband access to the Internet? Will the uncoordinated nature
of unlicensed devices eventually, with widespread deployment, lead to
interference that makes the devices unreliable? Are there steps the
Commission should consider, such as the implementation of a spectrum
etiquette, that would reduce interference among Part 15 devices and lead
to more efficient use of the spectrum? Should the Commission expand the
types of spectrum uses that can be authorized by rule?

[Panel 1: Role of Unlicensed Systems in Future Spectrum Management
Policies]{.underline}

Moderators: Co-moderator, to be determined, and Michael Marcus, FCC

> Michael Calabrese, New America Foundation
>
> Lawrence Lessig, Stanford Law School
>
> DeWayne Hendricks, Dandin Group
>
> David Reed, Reed.com
>
> Peter Hadinger, TRW Space & Electronics Group
>
> William Chamberlain, Cobra Electronics
>
> Robert Phaneuf, Harmonix Division of Terabeam

[Panel 2: Possible Evolutionary Improvements to Unlicensed
Rules]{.underline}

> Moderators: Co-moderator, to be determined, and Michael Marcus, FCC
>
> Kevin Negus, Proxim
>
> Peirre DeVries, Microsoft Corporation
>
> Patrick Leary, Alvarion
>
> Dudley Freeman, UniiGo Communications
>
> Art Reilly, Cisco Systems
>
> Vanu Bose, Vanu, Inc.
>
> Ramesh Rao, San Diego Division, California Institute for
> Telecommunications and Information Technology and Department of
> Electrical and Computer Engineering, UCSD
>
> Carl Stevenson, IEEE 802.18 Radio Regulatory Technical Advisory Group
> and WECA

[Experimental Licenses:]{.underline}

The experimental license program provides a means by which new
technologies and concepts can be developed and evaluated. It also
provides for limited market studies and technical demonstrations, as
well as other research and study activities. This panel will discuss the
successes and limitations of the experimental license program. Are any
changes required to facilitate better use of this capability? Also, the
Commission strives to be proactive in facilitating new technologies and
services. Is the experimental licensing program providing sufficient
information for this purpose? Can it be improved? If so, how?

[Panel:]{.underline}

Moderators: Lauren Van Wazer, FCC, and Michael Marcus, FCC

> David Hilliard, Wiley Rein & Fielding
>
> Larry Solomon, Shook, Hardy & Bacon
>
> Michael Lynch, Nortel Networks
>
> David Borth, Motorola
>
> Leo Hoarty, Dotcast
>
> Karl Nebbia, NTIA
>
> Bruce Franca, FCC

**[August 2^nd^: Interference Protection:]{.underline}**

As the Commission considers how to provide opportunities for new
technologies and radio services, a central issue is how to protect
against harmful interference. The Commission rules define harmful
interference as "\[i\]nterference which endangers the functioning of a
radionavigation service or of other safety services or seriously
degrades, obstructs, or repeatedly interrupts a radiocommunication
service . . . ."[^1] In a number of recent rulemaking proceedings, there
have been wide differences in views about the meaning of harmful
interference. For example, some have argued that degradation of link
margins should be considered harmful interference, even where there
would be no noticeable impact to the user.

Interference standards that are overly conservative may prevent or
impede the introduction of new services and technologies. On the other
hand, interference standards that are too lax may have a detrimental
impact on existing and planned services. Also, as the Commission
provides increased flexibility for use of the spectrum, potential
interference may be more difficult to predict. These panels will discuss
ways in which the Commission can better evaluate and apply standards to
control interference among users of the spectrum that allow for the
proper balance between these objectives.

[Panel 1: Interference Challenges:]{.underline}

Moderators: Dale Hatfield, consultant, and Keith Larson, FCC

> Lynn Claudy, National Association of Broadcasters
>
> Martin Rofheart, Xtreme Spectrum
>
> Glen Nash, APCO
>
> Robert Briskman, Sirius Satellite Radio
>
> Andrew Clegg, Cingular
>
> Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, U.S. Department of Defense, Office of Spectrum
> Analysis and Management
>
> Paul Steffes, Georgia Tech, Commission On Radio Frequencies (CORF)

[Panel 2: Advanced Technologies:]{.underline}

Moderators: Brian Woerner, Virginia Tech, and Ronald Repasi, FCC

> Raymond Pickholtz, George Washington University
>
> Douglas Lockie, Endwave Corp.
>
> Jack Wengryniuk, Hughes Network Systems
>
> Marc Goldberg, ArrayComm

[Panel 3: A Better Process:]{.underline}

> Moderators: Charles Jackson, consultant, and Thomas Stanley, FCC
>
> Dennis Miller, Rural Cellular Association and Midwest Wireless
>
> Phillip Barsky, XM Radio
>
> Nancy Jesuale, City of Portland
>
> Stephen Baruch, Leventhal, Senter & Lerman
>
> Dale Hatfield, consultant
>
> Mark Crosby, Access Spectrum
>
> John Storch, Western Wireless

Audio/Video coverage of the workshops will be broadcast live on the
Internet from the FCC website at
[www.fcc.gov/realaudio](http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio). Audio and video
tapes of the workshops can be purchased from CACI Productions (formerly
Infocus Media), 341 Victory Drive, Herndon, VA 20170, by calling CACI at
(703) 834-1470 or by faxing CACI at (703) 834-0111.

For further information, contact Michael Marcus at (202) 418-2418 voice,
(202) 418-1944 fax, and e-mail mmarcus@fcc.gov.

[^1]: 47 C.F.R. § 2.1.