WASHINGTON-The Federal Communications Commission is looking for a new primary spectrum band for wireless medical devices used by hospitals.
Medical telemetry devices, such as heart monitors, today are secondary users on various blocks of spectrum, including frequencies used primarily by the land mobile radio industry.
The need for a new protected home for medical telemetry devices became apparent earlier this year when the transition to digital TV in Dallas caused significant interference at two hospitals. Additionally, manufacturers of medical telemetry devices argue that a low-power consensus plan submitted by the Land Mobile Communications Council June 4, 1997, cannot be implemented because medical telemetry devices would not be protected.
At a forum held last week at the FCC, the medical community voiced interest not only in protecting its current equipment, but also in developing new and creative ways of treating patients through the use of wireless technology. Such new uses, however, would require additional swathes of spectrum.
Finding this spectrum may be difficult since most spectrum favored by these device makers is heavily encumbered.
Indeed, FCC officials were reluctant to name which area of spectrum they might consider. “There are issues with respect to all of the bands,” said Ari Fitzgerald, wireless legal adviser to FCC Chairman William Kennard.
However, FCC officials said the commission is not considering the band of spectrum being vacated by TV broadcasters converting to DTV, as it is expected to be in use by TV stations well into the next century.
“This is a public-safety, public-health [issue],” Fitzgerald said, with regard to the urgency of finding the new spectrum. Medical telemetry devices “should have a permanent home, primary status as part of our spectrum-management responsibilities,” he added.
The FCC forum was the first time the medical and land mobile communities got together to discuss the issue, although both sides have flooded the FCC with letters and lobby visits regarding their individual takes on the issue.
The medical community was represented by a new task force created by the American Hospital Association, at the direction of the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology.
It is unclear whether the private radio industry was expected to participate in the task force. FCC officials said AHA was encouraged to seek input from the LMCC, but at least two LMCC participants said they were not invited.
“I can’t imagine that anyone in LMCC would pass up the opportunity to facilitate [a discussion]. We continue to be concerned about medical telemetry,” said Sharpe Smith, a spokesman for the Industrial Telecommunications Association. ITA represented the LMCC at the FCC forum.
A representative of the National Association of Broadcasters has been participating on the AHA task force, but it appears most issues regarding the transition to DTV have been resolved.
It remains unclear whether the private radio community will be involved in discussions with AHA in the future. Alan Tilles, outside counsel for the Personal Communications Industry Association, said someone needs to educate the AHA task force about how private radio works. “[The task force’s education committee members] don’t know anything about refarming,” Tilles said.
This may or may not carry weight with AHA. An AHA representative said the task force would submit its proposal to the FCC before seeking input from the private radio community.
