Three Democratic Senators Ask Wheeler To Delay Vote on Unlicensed Use of Channel 37
Three Senate Democrats want a three-month delay to address wireless telemetry concerns about proposed rules for Channel 37 following the TV incentive auction, they said in a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Wednesday. House Republicans weighed in last week…
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(see 1507310043). The rules on Channel 37 are slated for a vote at Thursday’s meeting as part of the broader order on Part 15 rules. Wireless Medical Telemetry Service Coalition (WMTS) and GE Healthcare and hospitals urged a three-month delay that would give industry time to work out a compromise on unlicensed use of Channel 37 (see 1508030059). Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., signed the letter. Hospitals use WMTS for cardiac and fetal monitoring and any interference “could severely impact patient health and safety,” they said, saying 150 hospitals in 40 states have raised concerns. “The record also includes the results of real-world testing at three different hospitals demonstrating that interference to WTMS systems will be caused by [TV white spaces devices] operating at the initial power-levels and distances proposed by the Commission.”