February 18, 2022
Little known fact: all spectrum is available for unlicensed use
In discussing unlicensed spectrum, one thinks of the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) and Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (U-NII) spectrum bands, where unlicensed is the predominate use. For example, the FCC recently opened up the 6 GHz band to unlicensed use (U-NII 5, 6, 7 and 8 bands).
In addition to these well-known bands, however, every single radio frequency in the United States is available for some sort of unlicensed use. Starting at the low end of the RF scale, there is a permissible unlicensed use at 9 kHz. Continuing up the RF scale through every frequency band, to 38 GHz, and beyond, unlicensed uses are permitted in each of these bands. The FCC allocated discrete spectrum bands for specific unlicensed uses. Every band is unlicensed spectrum.
What’s the catch? Only very low power is allowed, lower than in the ISM and U-NII bands. Very low power, unlicensed use operates “under the radar.” The permitted power levels are so low that federal, or licensed non-federal users, don’t detect the unlicensed use. However, even though very low power, these unlicensed uses can be profitable.
Operating under FAA radar
Let’s take an example. According to NTIA (the agency that coordinates federal government spectrum), the “960-1164 MHz band is . . . allocated on a primary basis to the Federal Government for the aeronautical radionavigation service (ARNS).” The FAA administers this band. It is used for radar at airports, among other things. I know from having represented some of these companies, that if you operate an industrial microwave oven, or other device, that interferes with FAA radar, the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau will be knocking on your door tout suite. Nothing gets quicker FCC enforcement than a rule violation that endangers aviation safety. Because this spectrum is heavily protected, you would think that no one else can use it?
Well, not entirely. The FCC permits ultra-wide band (UWB) operation in the 960-1240 MHz band, along with other low power, unlicensed uses. UWB’s very low power and dispersed transmissions apparently do not interfere with radar. UWB has a variety of uses, including “proximity marketing, customer analytics, indoor navigation, smart homes, factory automation, asset-tracking and logistics.” UWB is an example of a very low power, unlicensed use that can make money. UWB flies under FAA’s radar.
You can use this spectrum for new products
The FCC allocated spectrum to a host of other very low power, unlicensed activities. That spectrum is there to be used. All it takes is a business model, and engineering that fits the FCC’s technical requirements.
However, there is no guide to unlicensed spectrum. The best source in this area, other than individual FCC rule sections, is a compilation published by the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology over 20 years ago. It is out of date.
We developed a band-by-band database for unlicensed spectrum, and can advise on what spectrum is available for your unlicensed, very low power use. Call today if you need assistance in this area.
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December 24, 2018
This op-ed in The Hill remains relevant so long as our cellphones have 2G or 3G radios inside (most do).
ARE THE RUSSIANS AND THE CHINESE LISTENING TO YOUR PHONE CALLS?
BY JULIAN GEHMAN, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 12/24/18 06:00 PM EST
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL
While the press is abuzz with stories of Chinese technology theft and Russian hacking, there is a hole that has gotten too little attention. “When Trump phones friends, the Chinese and the Russians listen and learn,” the New York Times reported, exposing a huge lapse of national security. In fact, those nations are listening in on cell phone calls across the country through cell site simulators, often known as stingrays, dirtboxes, and international mobile subscriber identity catchers that mimic towers to trick cell phones into transmitting information. They are commonly used to identify the location of a cell phone in order to track the owner. They can also be used to eavesdrop on conversations and intercept texts.
For the rest of this article, please go to The Hill.