PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 12-280 Released: February 24, 2012 Office of Engineering and Technology, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and Office of Strategic Planning Announce Workshop on “Spectrum Efficiency and Receiver Performance” As part of the Commission’s efforts to enhance the use of spectrum for mobile broadband, the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology, in conjunction with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and the Office of Strategic Planning will host a workshop on spectrum efficiency and receivers. The workshop will be held on Monday, March 12, 2012 and Tuesday, March 13, 2012, in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC Headquarters in Washington, DC. The role of receivers in enabling access to spectrum for new services implicates federal stakeholders, as well as the private sector. Receiver performance issues have often arisen as a conflict between legacy stakeholders and new entrants where deployment of new technologies and services threatens to adversely impact an incumbent or place restrictions on the new entrant. Past examples include interference issues between new cellular radio systems and public safety radio systems,1 satellite digital radio systems and proposed terrestrial data services,2 unlicensed WiFi systems and FAA weather radar systems,3 and ancillary terrestrial service on mobile satellite spectrum and GPS4. The resolution of such matters has historically required a public process involving regulators, stakeholders and other parties. Because such discussions sometime begin upon the introduction of a new service or technology, full deployment of such new services could be hindered. New approaches to spectrum management focusing on spectrum efficiency and receiver performance may enable more assured deployment of new services and reduce the necessity for the involvement of regulators. This two-day workshop will discuss the characteristics of receivers and how their performance can affect the efficient use of spectrum and opportunities for the creation of new services. Key topics will include current practices for receiver design, case studies involving interference due to receiver characteristics, and approaches for promoting interference avoidance and efficient use of spectrum, given the current receiver base and potential future deployments. The workshop will include perspectives from licensees, equipment manufacturers, component providers, and other interested parties. 1 See Improving Public Safety Communications in the 800 MHz Band, WT Docket 02-55, Report and Order, Fifth Report and Order, Fourth Memorandum Opinion and Order, and Order, 19 FCC Rcd 14969 (2004) as amended by Erratum, DA 04-3208, 19 FCC Rcd 19651 (2004) and Erratum, DA 04-3459, rel. Oct. 29, 2004 (800 MHz R&O). 2 See Establishment of Rules and Policies for the Digital Audio Radio Satellite Service in the 2310-2360 MHz Frequency Band, WT Docket No. 07-293, Report and Order, Second Report and Order` rel. May 20th, 2010 3 See FCC Memorandum Elimination of interference to Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR), from Julius Knapp, Chief, FCC Office of Engineering and Technology, P. Michele Ellison, Chief, FCC Enforcement Bureau, rel. July 27th, 2010 4 See FCC Public Notice International Bureau Invites Comment On NTIA Letter Regarding Lightsquared Conditional Waiver, DA 12-214, IB Docket No. 11-109, rel. February 15, 2012 2 Accessibility Information. To request information in accessible formats (computer diskettes, large print, audio recording, and Braille), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY). This document can also be downloaded in Word and Portable Document Format (PDF) at: http://www.fcc.gov. For further information, contact Michael Ha, Office of Engineering and Technology at (202) 418- 2099 or by email: michael.ha@fcc.gov. For more news and information about the Federal Communications Commission Please visit: www.fcc.gov