FCC Designates EWA Frequency Coordinator for Medical Body Area Networks

November 9, 2015

(Herndon, VA) –The Enterprise Wireless Alliance (EWA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorizing EWA to “perform the duties of Frequency Coordinator for Medical Body Area Networks (MBAN).” These networks will enable the use of a variety of wireless patient monitoring devices for use in hospitals or similar facilities and will share spectrum with Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT) operations. As coordinator, EWA will ensure that use of the MBAN devices does not cause interference to AMT operations in the band. The band in question is 2360-2390 MHz. The United States the first country to allocate spectrum for MBANs.

In 2014, the FCC finalized a change to its rules to enable the deployment of MBAN devices in the 2360-2400 MHz band, including the establishment of a frequency coordination procedure to register and coordinate the use of MBAN operations in the 2360-2390 MHz band. The MOU “defines the scope, terms, conditions and requirements of the authority delegated to EWA as a frequency coordinator for MBAN operations in the 2360-2390 MHz band.” The 2390-2400 MHz portion of the band will not require registration and coordination.

“EWA is honored to have been authorized by the FCC for this important role,” said EWA President Mark Crosby. “We have begun developing an online system for MBAN registration, and we look forward to facilitating the use of this advanced technology by healthcare facilities and, of course, working closely with the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council^® to promote and optimize spectrum sharing and collaboration.”

MBANs will be used for wireless patient monitoring. Applications include a wide variety of monitoring systems that will transmit patient health data over a short range at low power. The 2360-2390 MHz portion of the band is range-restricted to indoor use at health care facilities and will be subject to registration with EWA and additional coordination if warranted by location.

The Public Notice announcing the FCC authorization is available online. For more information about EWA’s frequency coordination of MBAN equipment, please contact:

Robin Cohen

Enterprise Wireless Alliance

2121 Cooperative Way, Suite 225

Herndon, VA 20171

Phone: 703-797-5112

Email: robin.cohen@enterprisewireless.org

About the Enterprise Wireless Alliance

EWA is an FCC-certified frequency advisory committee that provides license preparation, spectrum management and associated services to business enterprises, private carriers, public safety entities and wireless sales and service organizations. Membership within EWA is open to users of wireless communications systems, vendors, system operators and service organizations. Additional information about membership and services is available at www.enterprisewireless.org.

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