Sen. Burns (Mont.), ranking Republican on Senate Commerce Communi...
Sen. Burns (Mont.), ranking Republican on Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee, asked FCC Chmn. Powell to provide information on ultra wideband (UWB) testing under way at Commission. Agency earlier this year approved UWB order that provided technical requirements allowing commercial…
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technology to move forward, but indicated at time that it would conduct testing over next year to evaluate what if any changes should be made in restrictions on UWB. “The results of these Commission tests could form the basis for the review and possible relaxation of the rules adopted in the first report and order,” Burns said. Burns said he wanted FCC to provide information by Aug. 31 on these questions: (1) Will FCC “publish and invite public comment” on test plan it intends to pursue in evaluating UWB interference into other services. If so, Burns said he wanted to know whether that information would be provided before testing began. (2) “In developing and implementing its test plans, will the Commission consider worst-case scenarios, especially in reviewing potential UWB interference into safety of life frequency bands and services?” Burns said if FCC didn’t plan that, he would like outline of scenarios that Commission would consider and “how they account for the grave consequences interference to safety of life systems could have.” (3) Will FCC use range of UWB device and network prototypes in testing. (4) What group in FCC will undertake tests and analyze data. Burns asked specifically whether other federal agencies would be involved in developing test plans and whether FCC would seek public comment on test data before it considered further notice. (5) Will Commission use test data for purposes other than developing further notice, such as responding to pending petitions for reconsideration.