[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 194 (Thursday, October 5, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59421-59422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25557]


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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[DA 00-2013]


Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Opens Filing Window for 
Requests To Be a Frequency Coordinator in the Wireless Medical 
Telemetry Service

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Public Notice announces a filing window for requests to be 
a designated frequency coordinator in the Wireless Medical Telemetry 
Service, (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.

[[Page 59422]]


ADDRESSES: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20554.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Tobias, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, 
(202) 418-1617.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Public Notice was released on September 
28, 2000. The document is available, in entirety, for inspection and 
copying during normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 
CY-A-257), 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554. It may also be 
purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International 
Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS, Inc.) 1231 20th Street, NW, 
Washington, DC 20036, (202) 857-3800. For background information, a 
copy of the R&O in ET Docket No. 99-255 can be found on the 
Commission's web page. The Commission's website is http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Orders/2000/fcc00076.pdf.

Summary of the Public Notice

    The Commission adopted a Report and Order (R&O) establishing a new 
WMTS. 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. 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.
    1. 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 Sec. 95.1113 of the Commission's Rules, a WMTS 
frequency coordinator will be required to: (i) Review and process 
coordination requests submitted by authorized health care providers as 
required in 47 CFR 95.1111; (ii) maintain a database of WMTS use; (iii) 
notify users of potential conflicts; and (iv) coordinate WMTS operation 
with radio astronomy observatories and Federal Government radar systems 
as specified in 47 CFR 95.1119 and 95.1121.
    2. 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:
    (i) a description of the entity requesting to be a WMTS frequency 
coordinator and its qualifications;
    (ii) how it will prevent any conflicts of interest;
    (iii) its proposed fee structure;
    (iv) length of time before applicant will be able to begin its 
duties as a WMTS frequency coordinator;
    (v) 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
    (vi) the geographic area(s) for which the applicant is willing to 
coordinate.
    3. WTB will base its decision on the information provided. 
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.
    4. 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 12th Street, SW., TW-A325, Washington DC 20554. A copy of each 
filing should be sent to International Transcription Service, Inc. at 
1231 20th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20036, and Jeffrey Tobias, 
Federal Communications Commission, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 
Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Policy and Rules Branch, 
445 12th Street, SW., 2-C828, Washington, DC 20554.

Federal Communications Commission.
D'Wana R. Terry,
Chief, Public Safety and Private Wireless Division, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau.
[FR Doc. 00-25557 Filed 10-4-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P