FCC moves to allow unlicensed devices to operate on Channel 37

The Federal Communications Commission today approved rules to permit unlicensed devices to operate on the same channel as the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service used by hospitals for patient monitoring devices. While the commission provided a mechanism for increasing the size of the adopted protection zones on a hospital-by-hospital basis, the AHA expressed concern that the rules will not adequately protect many WMTS systems from interference by these unlicensed devices. “We remain highly concerned that if the rules adopted today are left unchanged, patient safety could be compromised,” said AHA Executive Vice President Rick Pollack. “We will continue to work with Congress, the FCC and device developers to seek a remedy that puts patients first.” The AHA had urged the FCC to delay the rules for at least three months to allow stakeholders to develop a cooperative, consensus resolution, a call that was echoed by members of the House and Senate.