Expiration of FCC Freeze will impact 460-470 MHz Medical Telemetry
On December 31, 2005 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will lift their freeze on the granting of licenses for new high-powered transmitters in the 460-470 MHz frequency band. If your hospital still has telemetry operating at 460-470 MHz, there is a high potential that this equipment will be subject to interference after the freeze is lifted. The FCC has stated that it will not extend the freeze beyond December 31, 2005.
Hospitals that have not transitioning into the dedicated spectrum - the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) - and are likely to still operate in the 460-470 MHz band after December 31, 2005 have few options left to protect their patients from effects of harmful interference to their telemetry system. Click here to review these options.
Previous AHA/ASHE Advisories and FCC Notice
- June 16, 2005 AHA/ASHE Regulatory Advisory: Medical DTV and 460-470 MHz freeze expiration
- July 23, 2004 AHA/ASHE Regulatory Advisory: FCC Requires Registration of Telemetry Equipment
- April 9, 2004 FCC Public Notice: The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Extends the Freeze on High Power Use of the 460-470 MHz Band Offset Channels
- April 9, 2004 ASHE Advocacy Update: Medical Telemetry: Status of Freeze on High Power Use in 460-470 MHz Band
- February 14, 2002 Member Advisory: FCC Updates WMTS Rule
- August 1, 2000 AHA Regulatory Advisory: New Wireless Medical Telemetry Service