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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FCC Protects ALD Spectrum

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.