IP: NTIA Calling for change in 5GHz U-NII Rules

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: "Robert J. Berger" <rberger () ultradevices com>
Date: Sun, 23 Jun 2002 22:30:08 -0700
To: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne () warpspeed com>, Dave Farber IP
<dave () farber net>
Subject: NTIA Calling for change in 5GHz U-NII Rules

I don't have a problem with the requirements for dynamic frequency selection
and Transmit Power Control. We should consider requiring features like these
in all unlicensed band uses as it facilitates sharing. But the requirement
for Indoor Only use and thus banning outdoor use is absurd and tends to make
me think someone is trying to block one of the few technologies available to
create an alternative to the RBOCs and Cable Companies... -Rob

Agencies stump for rules change on 5-GHz wireless LANs
By Patrick Mannion, EE Times
Jun 21, 2002 (9:24 AM)
URL: http://www.siliconstrategies.com/story/OEG20020621S0062

MANHASSET, N.Y. ‹ The National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) is preparing a petition asking the Federal
Communications Commission to reopen the rules that govern radios operating
in the 5-GHz Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure band, EE Times
has learned. Such a move could mandate a redesign of radios compliant with
IEEE 802.11a and other standards.

The petition would articulate some government agencies' concerns that such
radios could interfere with essential services such as radar. The NTIA is
readying the proposal on behalf of the Department of Defense and NASA.

The U-NII band was established in 1997 and is located between 5.15 and 5.35
GHz and between 5.725 and 5.825 GHz. The band has attracted attention with
the recent emergence of IEEE 802.11a 5-GHz wireless LANs. It is also a
favorite of the fixed wireless access community.

Possible changes

Proposals being considered include limiting the 5.25- to 5.35-GHz band to
200 mW and indoor use only, and requiring the use of dynamic frequency
selection (DFS) and transmit power control (TPC). Current FCC rules allow 40
mW at 5.15 to 5.25 GHz, 200 mW (indoor and outdoor) at 5.25 to 5.35 GHz, and
800 mW at 5.725 to 5.825 GHz.

If the recommendations are effected, radios will have to be redesigned or at
least recalibrated for U.S. operation. But since TPC and DFS are both
mandatory in Europe today, some U.S. manufacturers have already accommodated
those features.

An NTIA spokesman said Friday (June 21) that the issue "is of some interest,
but we haven't made a decision" on whether to file a petition. He did not
elaborate.

"We have yet to study the arguments for this petition but are concerned
about any effort to interfere with the U-NII band's much-needed services,"
said Andrew Kreig, president of the Wireless Communications Association
International.

‹ With additional reporting by George Leopold.



-- 
Robert J. Berger
UltraDevices, Inc. / Internet Bandwidth Development, LLC
15550 Wildcat Ridge Saratoga, CA 95070
408-882-4755 rberger () ultradevices com / rberger () ibd com


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