Overview of Commission Action in ET Docket No. 08-59
On August 20, 2014, the Federal Communications Commission adopted an Order on Reconsideration and Second Report and Order (FCC 14-124) in ET Docket No. 08-59, modifying rules governing Medical Body Area Network (MBAN) operations in the 2360-2400 MHz spectrum band. The action resolves petitions for reconsideration filed by the American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association (ASHE) and jointly by GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, and the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC).
The order adjusts operating definitions, topology limitations, and registration rules under Part 95 to accommodate evolving industry standards (including IEEE 802.15.6) while protecting incumbent primary services, notably Aeronautical Mobile Telemetry (AMT) in the 2360-2390 MHz band. The Commission also finalized the framework and qualifying criteria for selecting an MBAN frequency coordinator.
- Proceeding: ET Docket No. 08-59
- FCC Document Number: FCC 14-124
- Adopted Date: August 20, 2014; Released Date: August 21, 2014
- Primary Frequency Bands: 2360-2390 MHz (shared with primary AMT) and 2390-2400 MHz
Rule Modifications and Reconsideration Decisions
In response to the Joint Petition, the Commission narrowed the definition of health care facilities permitted to operate MBAN devices in the 2360-2390 MHz band. Under revised Section 95.1203, operation in that lower segment is restricted to hospitals and other establishments offering services, facilities, and beds for patient stays beyond a 24-hour period.
The Commission also revised technical and topology provisions across Part 95 to enhance deployment flexibility:
Additionally, the Commission granted ASHE's petition by requiring health care facilities eligible to use the 2360-2390 MHz band to register any MBAN systems capable of operating across 2360-2400 MHz, even if the system initially operates only within 2390-2400 MHz. Registration of body-worn sensor units is not required; registration is limited to the quantity, manufacturer name, model number, and FCC identification number of programmer/control transmitters.
- Amended the MBAN definition in Appendix 1 to Subpart E of Part 95 to allow networks consisting of a MedRadio programmer/control transmitter and one or more medical body-worn devices.
- Eliminated outdoor antenna height limits for MedRadio operations specifically in the 2390-2400 MHz band under Section 95.1213.
- Modified Section 95.1209(g) to allow body-worn devices to communicate with other body-worn devices in the same MBAN and permit programmer/control transmitters from separate MBANs to communicate solely to avoid mutual interference.
- Updated Section 95.628(c) to require body-worn transmitters to cease transmitting in the 2360-2390 MHz band if they lose communication with their associated programmer/control transmitter or fail to receive an authorized control message.
MBAN Frequency Coordinator Selection and Oversight
In the Second Report and Order, the FCC established the selection framework for an MBAN frequency coordinator to manage registration and coordinate sharing with AMT operations in the 2360-2390 MHz band. The Commission determined it will designate a single coordinator for an initial ten-year term, delegating selection and oversight authority to the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB).
The selected coordinator will operate on a not-for-profit basis, charge reasonable fees reflecting actual costs (including third-party consultant and AMT coordinator expenses), and provide services on a non-discriminatory basis to all eligible health care institutions.
- Coordinator must demonstrate capability to maintain the MBAN registry database, knowledge of medical wireless and AMT systems, and interference calculation capabilities.
- Third-party technical contractors may be utilized, subject to contract disclosure, a minimum six-month termination notice, and data transfer requirements.
- MBAN coordinator must give six months' notice prior to vacating its role and transfer registry data in a usable format to a successor.
- WTB will execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the designated entity following a public application window.
Dismissal of TV White Space Rulemaking Petition
The Commission dismissed without prejudice a Petition for Rulemaking filed by Ben Bartlett in ET Docket Nos. 08-59 and 04-186, which sought to allocate spectrum for MBANs in unused broadcast television spectrum bands (TV white spaces).
The FCC concluded that the 2360-2400 MHz band remains suitable for short-range medical telemetry, found claims regarding future spectrum exhaustion speculative, noted the availability of the experimental licensing process for testing long-range medical links, and declined to complicate the ongoing broadcast television spectrum incentive auction proceeding.
- Dismissed petition requesting MBAN allocation in 54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz, and 470-806 MHz bands.
- Affirmed secondary shared framework in 2360-2400 MHz as the designated spectrum for MBAN deployments.