DA 00- 2013

Released: September 28, 2000

**Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Opens Filing Window For Requests To
Be a Frequency Coordinator In The Wireless Medical Telemetry Service**

On June 8, 2000, the Commission adopted a *Report and Order* (*R&O*)
establishing a new Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) under Part
95 of the Commission's Rules (47 C.F.R. Part 95).[^1] The WMTS is
intended to enhance the ability of health care providers to offer high
quality and cost-effective care to patients with acute and chronic
health care needs. While WMTS equipment will be licensed by rule, the
Commission concluded that it was necessary to designate a frequency
coordinator(s) to maintain a database of all WMTS equipment identified
by location, operating frequency, emission type and output power. The
Commission believed that the database will provide a record of the
frequencies used by each facility or device to assist parties in
selecting frequencies to avoid interference.[^2] The Commission
envisioned that the database would be used by users eligible for the
WMTS and manufacturers to plan for specific frequency use within a
geographic area. In this regard, the Commission noted that the frequency
coordinator would not be a decision maker as to which frequency should
be used, but responsible for notifying users of potential frequency
conflicts.[^3] The Commission stated that the ultimate decision of the
number of coordinators for the WMTS and the selection of such
coordinator(s) would be made by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
(WTB).[^4] It noted that WTB would announce its coordination selection
procedures in a future Public Notice.[^5]

The purpose of this Public Notice is to announce a filing window for
requests to be designated as a frequency coordinator in the WMTS. WTB
will accept requests for certification beginning September 29, 2000, and
ending October 10, 2000. Requests received before or after these dates
will not be considered. Entities interested in serving as a WMTS
frequency coordinator should familiarize themselves with the
Commission's Rules pertaining to the WMTS. For background information, a
copy of the *R&O* in ET Docket No. 99-255 can be found on the
Commission's web page at
[http://www.fcc.gov/oet/dockets](http://www.fcc.gov/oet/dockets/ET) or
may be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International
Transcription Service, Inc. (ITS), 1231 20^th^ Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20036, (202) 857-3800.

*WMTS Frequency Coordinator Duties and Responsibilities*. The designated
WMTS frequency coordinator(s) must be familiar with the medical
telemetry user community, and must make its services available to all
parties on a first-come, first-served and non-discriminatory basis. The
WMTS frequency coordinator(s) must be willing to serve a five-year term,
which could be renewed by the Commission. The WMTS frequency
coordinator(s) will be permitted to set the fee structure associated
with such frequency coordination as necessary to recoup costs. Pursuant
to Section 95.1113 of the Commission's Rules, 47 C.F.R. § 95.1113, a
WMTS frequency coordinator will be required to: (1) review and process
coordination requests submitted by authorized health care providers as
required in 47 C.F.R. § 95.1111; (2) maintain a database of WMTS use;
(3) notify users of potential conflicts; and (4) coordinate WMTS
operation with radio astronomy observatories and Federal Government
radar systems as specified in 47 C.F.R. §§ 95.1119 and 95.1121.

Each request for designation as a WMTS frequency coordinator must be
signed and indicate the name and telephone number of a contact person
familiar with the request. Each request must include:

(1) a description of the entity requesting to be a WMTS frequency
    coordinator and its qualifications;

(2) how it will prevent any conflicts of interest;

(3) its proposed fee structure;

(4) length of time before applicant will be able to begin its duties as
    a WMTS frequency coordinator;

(5) a statement that the applicant will be able and willing to work with
    other WMTS frequency coordinators should WTB decide to designate
    more than one frequency coordinator, and

(6) the geographic area(s) for which the applicant is willing to
    coordinate.

WTB will base its decision on the information provided. NOTE: Preference
will be given to applicants who can provide nationwide coordination.
Once a decision has been made, the name(s) and address(es) of the
designated WMTS coordinator(s) will be announced by Public Notice.

Requests for designation as a WMTS frequency coordinator must reference
this Public Notice, including the DA number, and be filed with the
Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12^th^
Street, S.W., TW-A325, Washington D.C. 20554. A copy of each filing
should be sent to International Transcription Service, Inc. at 1231
20^th^ Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 200036, and Jeffrey Tobias,
Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau,
Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Policy and Rules Branch,
445 12^th^ Street, S.W., 2-C828, Washington, D.C. 20554. The full text
of requests filed will be available for inspection and duplication
during regular business hours in the Reference Information Center (RIC)
of the Consumer Information Bureau, Federal Communications Commission,
445 12^th^ Street, S.W., CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 200554. For further
information regarding the public reference file on this matter, contact
Maria Ringold, Chief, Wireless Branch, RIC, (202) 418-1350.

Questions regarding this Public Notice may be directed to Jeffrey
Tobias, Policy and Rules Branch, Public Safety and Private Wireless
Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (202) 418-0680, TTY (202)
418-7233.

By the Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless
Telecommunications Bureau.

-FCC-

[^1]: *Report and Order*, ET Docket 99-255, FCC 00-211, released June
    12, 2000.

[^2]: *Id.*

[^3]: *Id*.

[^4]: While we note that five parties expressed an interest in becoming
    the frequency coordinator for the WMTS in the context of ET Docket
    99-255 (*i.e.*, the American Hospital Association, Comsearch, IIT
    Research Institute, International Association of Fire Chief, Inc.
    and International Municipal Signal Association, and the Personal
    Communications Industry Association. Inc.), such expression of
    interest does not constitute a response to this filing window. Thus
    if any or all of these parties remain interested in being designated
    a WMTS frequency coordinator, they must respond to this *Public
    Notice*.

[^5]: *Id.*