[CWN-Summit] Current FCC Proceedings?

[Harold Feld]

I have attached the handout I distributed at the CWN Summit, updated for 
recent changes.

To the best of my knowledge, no one is hosting such a website, although the 
FCC has some new tools to track these issues at:
http://wireless.fcc.gov/spectrum/proceeding.htm

Here is my current list of relevant proceedings.

Standing offer: if anyone wants to put together a website that handles this 
stuff, I'm happy to contribute the content.  Also note that my materials 
are circulated under the Creative Commons BY license, just give credit to 
me and Media Access Project and you can freely repost on your own website.

Harold

Open Proceedings on Part 15 Unlicensed Spectrum Management Issues:

Proceeding:
ET Docket No. 04-186
Unlicensed operation in the TV broadcast band (Gimme good spectrum!)
This proposal would allow unlicensed radio transmitters to operate in the 
broadcast television spectrum where that spectrum is not being 
used.  Unlicensed devices would be required to use smart radio technologies 
to prevent harmful interference with people watching TV.  Because of the 
physical characteristics of this band of spectrum, even very low power 
devices can have a real impact on deployment of new unlicensed technologies.
Status:  Proposed rule.
Important Dates:
Published in the Federal Register: 6/18/04
Comments due: EXTENDED TO 11/30/04
Reply comments due: EXTENDED TO 12/30/04

Proceeding:
ET Docket No. 04-151
Unlicensed Operation in the 3650-3700 Band (Gimme more spectrum at higher 
power)
This proposal would allow unlicensed devices to operate in the 3650-3700 
MHz band. This band is used for a very few satellite uplink stations, so 
the FCC has proposed allowing stationary high power transmitters at 25 
Watts, as well as mobile devices with a power limit of 1 watt.
Status:  Proposed rule
Important Dates:
Published in the Federal Register: 5/14/04
Comments due:  7/28/04
Reply comments due:  8/27/04

Proceeding:
ET Docket No. 03-104 and ET Docket No. 04-37
Broadband Power Line Systems (Could be trouble)
This proposal seeks to amend the Commission=s rules to create a new system 
that provides access to broadband services using electric utility 
companies= power lines.  It is proposed that it would increase competition 
in broadband services, as well as bring the services to rural 
areas.  Traditionally, various low-power, unlicensed devices or systems 
have used the alternating current power lines to carry information.  Some 
people in the WISP and community networking communities have expressed 
concern that the rules could create significant interference for community 
networks.
Status:  Proposed rule.
Important Dates:
Published in the Federal Register: 3/17/04
Comments due: 5/3/04
Reply comments due:           06/1/04


Proceeding:
ET Docket No. 03-108
Cognitive Radio Technologies (PARADIGM BUSTER!)
This proposal tries to take advantage of new technologies that allow 
transmitters to sense when spectrum is Afree@ and avoid 
interference.  Rather than restrict unlicensed access to particular bands, 
it would allow such Asmart@ radios to transmit in almost any band it could 
sense would not interfere with another use.
Status:  Proposed rule.
Important Dates:
Published in the Federal Register: 2/17/04
Comments due: 5/3/04
Reply comments due: 6/1/04

Proceeding:
ET Docket No. 03-237
Interference Temperature Operation (PARADIGM BUSTER!)
This would set a new metric for measuring the potential for harmful 
interference by analyzing the background RF, the robustness of a given 
licensed service within a band, and its tolerance for further 
interference.  If space exists between the background noise and the 
tolerance level of the licensed service, non-interfering unlicensed uses 
could operate in the band.  The Commission has proposed a limited testbed 
for implementation.
Status:  Proposed rule and Notice of Inquiry
Important Dates:
Published in the Federal Register: 1/21/04
Comments due: 4/5/04
Reply comments due: 5/5/04

Proceeding
GN Docket No. 04-163
Wireless Broadband Task Force Notice of Inquiry (Tell us your story, please!)
In May 2004, the FCC formed a wireless task force to take a hard look at 
what the FCC can do to help both licensed wireless and unlicensed wireless 
deploy broadband networks.  So far, it's mostly incumbent licensed wireless 
and their equipment manufacturers who have told their stories.  While this 
proceeding does not propose any rules changes, the report the task force 
will issue will form the basis of FCC policy.
Status:            Notice of Inquiry
Important Dates:
Released: 5/5/04 (no Fed Reg publication)
Comments due: 6/3/04
Reply comments due: 7/1/04


At 12:03 PM 9/20/2004, you wrote:
>Harold Feld's call to provide the FCC with comments on spectrum policy 
>sounds great.  I'm quite happy to submit my thoughts on the needs of 
>wireless networks.
>
>Is there a resource out there that has a regularly updated list of 
>relevant Proceedings?  Something with a brief description of each plus 
>Docket Number would be perfect, as I haven't been able to find any such 
>list on the FCC's site.
>
>Thanks,
>Noah
>--
>Noah Miller
>noah at main.nc.us
>Wireless Network Administrator
>Mountain Area Information Network
>_______________________________________________
>CWN-Summit mailing list
>CWN-Summit at cuwireless.net
>http://lists.cu.groogroo.com/cgi-bin/listinfo/cwn-summit
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