But no, the licenses aren’t yet available. The FCC’s roll-out of its three new types of experimental licenses – “program licenses” for large-scale innovators, “medical testing licenses” for clinical trials, and “compliance testing licenses” for compliance test labs – has been frustratingly slow. The original order authorizing these categories came out early in 2013, followed … Continue Reading
Sensitive frequencies now available to companies developing medical devices. A small fraction of frequency bands need extraordinary protection from radio interference. Some, like those used for radio astronomy, depend on extremely sensitive receivers. Others carry signals essential to safety, like search-and rescue bands and GPS, which helps to land airplanes as well as to find … Continue Reading
OMB finally approves rules, but expect delays Back in January, 2013, the FCC reorganized and simplified the experimental rules processes. (You can find our post describing the changes here.) The overhaul included creation of several new types of experimental licenses: for example, Program Experimental Licenses, which will eventually make it easier for manufacturers, research universities … Continue Reading
A month or two ago we reported on some fine-tuning of the FCC’s experimental licensing rules. This arose in the context of the Commission’s consideration of several petitions for reconsideration of its 2013 overhaul of the experimental rules. The recent order effecting that fine-tuning has now made it into the Federal Register, which means that … Continue Reading
New changes affect radio astronomy frequencies, emergency service providers, and medical telemetry bands, among others. It doesn’t matter if you’re a technology titan, a two-man start-up in a garage, or a spare-time basement tinkerer. You can make your radio tests legal with an FCC experimental license. The cost is not high – $65 for two … Continue Reading
This is to correct our item pf a few days ago that wrongly announced the approval of certain new categories of experimental license - obviously a product of wishful thinking.… Continue Reading
"Program," "Medical Testing," and "Compliance Testing" experimental licenses required separate approval by the Office of Management and Budget, which is now in hand.… Continue Reading
If you want to chime in on any or all of the petitions seeking reconsideration of the FCC's expansion of the scope of experimental licenses, the deadlines have been announced.… Continue Reading
Considering the broad reach of the order, that fact that only three petitions for reconsideration were filed is a testament to the FCC's foresight.… Continue Reading
The FCC has rewritten the rules. The old form of experimental license remains available, but some new options appear as well. Among other changes, the new rules gather together the experimental provisions from other rule parts, including the Experimental Broadcast Stations formerly authorized under Part 74.… Continue Reading
OET has just released an Erratum to the NPRM in the experimental licensing proceeding. It advises that one of the two docket numbers listed in the original caption of that NPRM was wrong.… Continue Reading
Comment deadlines have been set in the proceeding which could lead to dramatic changes in the FCC's experimental licensing processes.… Continue Reading
Because the proposed rules affect just about every current and prospective user of the spectrum, the FCC should expect vigorous and conflicting comments. Entities committed to innovation will want greater flexibility, while incumbents will each demand greater protection for their own particular operations.… Continue Reading
