Spectrum Access
You probably know that assistive
listening devices can be every bit as helpful to a person with
hearing loss as a hearing aid. FM systems are often used in movies,
plays, meetings, and classrooms to help people with hearing loss remove
the background noise so they can concentrate on the content. These
systems require radio spectrum, just like your favorite AM or FM
station. Unfortunately, there's only a limited amount of spectrum
available, and lots of people want it. Spectrum access could be the next
big access issue!
February 2001 - The FCC is considering the sale
of the 216 - 217 MHz Band. This band is currently not as heavily
used by ALDs as the 72 MHz band, but there are more and more uses every
day. Naturally, we oppose the sale of this band, or even sharing it with
other users.
January 2002 - The FCC
protects the 216 - 217 MHz band for use by assistive listening devices.
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January 2002
Editor: The FCC recently acted to protect the 216 -217 MHz band used
by assistive listening devices (ALDs). This is great news for the
hearing loss community. Those of you who took the time to express your
support for this action should be proud of your role in making this
happen. Here's the announcement from the FCC and a link to the full
document.
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The item elevates the status of the Low Power Radio Service, which
includes auditory assistance [AA], from secondary to primary in the
216-217 MHz band. This means that no secondary service, and
later-licensed primary services, must protect AA from harmful
interference. The FCC also specifically said that they will allow no
more wildlife telemetry operations in the 216-217 MHz band, for fear of
interference with AA. The FCC also rejected a suggestion from MOBEX to
auction the 216-217 MHz band, and have the auction winner relocate AA to
higher bands. This is all good news, and no further action is necessary.
This item came out very strongly in favour of the ADA and AA.
This News Release and R&O and MO&O can be viewed in its
entirety on the FCC's website at http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Engineering_Technology/News_Releases/2001/nret0108.html
