[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 96 (Thursday, May 16, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24749-24750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12216]
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FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 15
[ET Docket No. 96-102; FCC 96-193]
Unlicensed NII/SUPERNet Operations in the 5 GHz Frequency Range
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: By this Notice of Proposed Rule Making (``NPRM''), the
Commission proposes to make available 350 megahertz of spectrum at
5.15--5.35 GHz and 5.725--5.875 GHz for use by a new category of
unlicensed equipment, called NII/SUPERNet devices. These devices would
provide short-range, high speed wireless digital communications on an
unlicensed basis. The Commission anticipates that these NII/SUPERNet
devices will support the creation of new wireless local area networks
(``LANs'') and will facilitate wireless access to the National
Information Infrastructure (``NII''). This action is in response to
petitions for rule making filed by the Wireless Information Networks
Forum (WINForum) and Apple Computer, Inc.
DATES: Comments must be filed on or before July 15, 1996 and reply
comments must be filed on or before August 14, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments and reply comments should be sent to Office of the
Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Derenge, Office of Engineering and
Technology (OET), (202) 418-2451, or Fred Thomas, OET, (202) 418-2449.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice
of Proposed Rule Making, ET Docket No. 96-102, FCC 96-193, adopted
April 25, 1996 and released May 6, 1996. The full text of this
Commission decision is available for inspection and copying during
normal business hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room 239), 1919 M
Street, NW, Washington, D.C. The complete text of this decision may
also be purchased from the Commission's copy contractor, International
Transcription Service, Inc., (202) 857-3800, 1919 M Street, N.W., Room
246, or 2100 M Street, N.W., Suite 140, Washington, D.C. 20037.
Additionally, an electronic version of the text may be obtained from
the World Wide Web at the URL:''http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/
Engineerin__Technology/Notices/''.
Summary of the Notice of Proposed Rule Making
1. The Commission proposes to amend Part 15 of its rules and to
make available 350 megahertz of spectrum at 5.15--5.35 GHz and 5.725--
5.875 GHz for use by a new category of unlicensed equipment, called
NII/SUPERNet devices. This amount of spectrum should be sufficient to
provide for a number of high-speed, wide-bandwidth, unlicensed
operations in each geographical area to meet growing demand for data
LANs. These devices may offer new opportunities for providing advanced
telecommunications services to educational institutions, health care
providers, libraries, businesses, and other users. These devices may
thereby significantly assist in meeting the universal service goals and
encouraging the provision of advanced telecommunications capabilities
to all Americans as set forth in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
This action should also foster the development of a broad range of new
devices and services that will stimulate economic development and the
growth of new industries. The Commission feels that additional studies
of spectrum sharing between the proposed unlicensed operations and
existing and other proposed operations in the 5 GHz range would be
useful and requests that interested parties address this matter in
their comments.
2. In order to permit maximum technical flexibility in the design
and operation of NII/SUPERNet devices, the Commission proposes that
such devices be subject to the minimum technical standards necessary to
prevent interference to other services and to ensure that the spectrum
is used efficiently. Specifically, the NPRM proposes to limit the peak
equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) for NII/SUPERNet devices
to -10 dBW (0.1 watt), which would provide for typical communications
distances of 50 to 100 meters. The Commission, however, does not
propose at this time to accommodate the higher power, longer range
(approximately 10-15 kilometer) communications links sought by the
petitioners due to concerns that such higher power operations would
pose unacceptable interference risks to other services, such as the
fixed satellite service in the 5.10-5.25 GHz band, and would greatly
limit the number of unlicensed operations within a local area.
Nonetheless, comment is solicited on whether to permit such higher
power operation at up to 1 watt of transmitter output power within the
5.725-5.875 GHz band; whether to limit the maximum antenna gain; and
whether higher power operations would be better accommodated on a
licensed basis in this band or in other bands presently (or soon to be)
available for licensed use (e.g., 2 GHz, 28 GHz, 38 GHz, or above 40
GHz ranges).
3. Furthermore, the NPRM proposes that all emissions occurring from
NII/SUPERNet devices outside of the 5.15-5.35 GHz and 5.725-5.875 GHz
bands be attenuated by at least 50 dB or to the radiated emission
limits set forth in 47 CFR Sec. 15.209, whichever is the lesser
attenuation. In addition, the NPRM proposes that any emissions
occurring in the restricted bands (see 47 CFR Sec. 15.205) comply with
the radiated emission limits set forth in 47 CFR Sec. 15.209. The
Commission believes that these out-of-band emission limits will provide
sufficient protection against harmful interference to adjacent band and
harmonically related radio operations. Additionally, the NPRM proposes
to amend Section 15.205 to delete the listing of 5.15-5.25 GHz as a
restricted band. Further, to ensure that the emissions from digital
circuitry employed with the NII/SUPERNet equipment do not cause harmful
interference to lower frequency radio operations, the NPRM proposes to
require that any such emissions below 1000 MHz comply with the general
field strength limits set forth in Section 15.209.
4. The NPRM does not at this time propose a channeling plan, in
order to provide flexibility for equipment designers to develop devices
and systems that will meet a wide variety of user needs. However,
comment is solicited on whether a channel bandwidth (e.g., 25 MHz)
should be established to ensure that the spectrum will be used
efficiently and will be
[[Page 24750]]
accessible to users of NII/SUPERNet devices.
5. The NPRM proposes a basic ``listen-before-talk'' interim
etiquette similar to that established for unlicensed Data-PCS devices
in order to expedite the development and introduction of NII/SUPERNet
devices. However, the Commission encourages industry to develop any
additional etiquette protocols that would increase spectrum efficiency
and facilitate equal access to the spectrum by a variety of devices.
Specifically, the proposed interim etiquette would require unlicensed
devices: to monitor the frequencies they will occupy to determine if
the frequencies are unused and available; to limit the maximum time
unlicensed devices may transmit to 10 milliseconds; and to require
unlicensed devices to wait after ceasing transmission 50 microseconds
before beginning to monitor again. Comment is sought on whether these
interim standards would be appropriate, and interested parties are
invited to submit alternatives.
6. The NPRM also proposes to establish sharing criteria between
unlicensed NII/SUPERNet devices and incumbent and proposed licensed
operations in the 5 GHz range. Specifically, the NPRM proposes that
NII/SUPERNet devices not be deemed to cause interference to licensed
services, provided that they operate in accordance with the
Commission's technical rules and they are located indoors or employ an
outdoor antenna that is mounted 15 meters or less above the ground.
NII/SUPERNet devices with outdoor antennas higher than 15 meters would
be required to cease operation or make some accommodation, such as
limiting power, to eliminate any harmful interference caused to a
licensed operation. Finally, consistent with unlicensed part 15
operation, NII/SUPERNet devices must accept any interference caused by
licensed services.
Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis
1. Reason For Action: The Commission finds that there is a need for
additional unlicensed spectrum for intentional radiators. This rule
making proceeding is initiated to obtain comment regarding proposals to
make spectrum in the 5 GHz band available for such purposes and to
amend the part 15 rules to add the technical requirements necessary to
permit sharing between the proposed new unlicensed devices and
incumbent operations.
2. Objective: The objective of this proposal is to provide adequate
unlicensed spectrum for wideband applications, and to provide for the
technical rules necessary for spectrum sharing and efficiency.
3. Legal Basis: The proposed action is authorized by sections 4(i),
303(c), 303(f), 303(g) and 303(r) of the Communications Act of 1934, as
amended, 47 U.S.C. sections 154(i), 303(c), 303(f), 303(g) and 303(r).
These provisions authorize the Commission to make such rules and
regulations as may be necessary to encourage more effective use of
radio as is in the public interest.
4. Description, Potential Impact, and Number of Small Entities
Affected: This proposal may provide new opportunities for radio
manufacturers and suppliers of radio equipment, some of which may be
small businesses, to develop and sell new equipment. The Commission is
unable to quantify other potential effects on small entities. The NPRM
invites specific comments on this point by interested parties.
5. Reporting, Record Keeping, and Other Compliance Requirements:
None.
6. Federal Rules That Overlap, Duplicate, or Conflict With This
Rule: None.
7. Significant Alternatives: If promulgated, this proposal will
provide additional unlicensed spectrum. The Commission is unaware of
other alternatives which could provide sufficient spectrum in the
immediate future. The NPRM solicits comment on this point.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 15
Radio,
Federal Communications Commission.
William F. Caton,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-12216 Filed 5-15-96; 8:45 am]
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