Apple, Cisco Systems, Intel and Microsoft urged FCC to submit pro...
Apple, Cisco Systems, Intel and Microsoft urged FCC to submit proposal to World Radio Conference (WRC) 2003 backing allocation of certain 5 GHz bands for broadband access using wireless LANs while protecting existing services. How 5 GHz spectrum policy…
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will play out at WRC has become point of debate, with questions raised such as whether wireless LANs should have primary or secondary use of band if spectrum were globally harmonized. NTIA has been among those raising interference concerns in WRC planning. Globalstar and ICO Global Communications also have objected to any policy that would grant wireless LANs primary access to spectrum at 5 GHz and amateur radio community has raised concerns about impact on their existing allocation at 5650-5670 MHz. In comments last week on policy positions under development in FCC’s advisory committee for WRC 2003, Microsoft and fellow commenters stressed 5 GHz would become increasingly important for unlicensed spectrum use as 2.4 GHz band became more congested. “The 5 GHz frequencies are ideal for faster, better wireless broadband access in the near term, and perhaps whole new networks in the long term,” filing said. “In addition, the development of 5 GHz WLAN networks may provide important national security benefits to homeland defense, to public safety agencies and even to the development of battlefield networks.” Some experts view 5 GHz wireless LANs as useful for mesh networks in which each device can operate as hub in distributed network scenario, filing said. “Thus, even in a catastrophic emergency networks could continue operating -- providing both security and relief teams ready-made, operational broadband networks,” filing said. Technology companies said those networks could be programmed to provide priority access to security personnel and emergency workers. Accommodations would need to be made under international allocation for existing federal users who operated radar and space research and earth exploration satellite systems, companies said. Apple, Cisco, Intel and Microsoft said “they and other members of the private sector interested in the success of wireless networking are working intensely with existing federal spectrum users to develop an equitable U.S. proposal that would accommodate all interests.”