Wireless Medical Telemetry

Prior to the establishment of the WMTS, medical telemetry devices generally could be operated on an unlicensed basis on vacant television channels 7-13 (174-216 MHz) and 14-46 (470-668 MHz) or on a licensed but secondary basis to private land mobile radio operations in the 450-470 MHz frequency band. This meant that wireless medical telemetry operations had to accept interference from the primary users of these frequency bands, i.e., the television broadcasters and private land mobile radio licensees. Further, if a wireless medical telemetry operation caused interference to television or private land mobile radio transmissions, the user of the wireless medical telemetry equipment would be responsible for rectifying the problem, even if that meant shutting down the medical telemetry operation.

The FCC was concerned that certain regulatory developments, including the advent of digital television (DTV) service, would result in more intensive use of these frequencies by the primary services, subjecting wireless medical telemetry operations to greater interference than before and perhaps precluding such operations entirely in many instances. To ensure that wireless medical telemetry devices can operate free of harmful interference, the FCC decided to establish the WMTS. In a Report and Order released on June 12, 2000, the FCC allocated a total of 14 megahertz of spectrum to WMTS on a primary basis. At the same time, it adopted a number of regulations to ensure that the WMTS frequencies are used effectively and efficiently for their intended medical purpose. The WMTS rules took effect on October 16, 2000.

The FCC established a transition period so that existing wireless medical telemetry equipment is not made obsolete immediately and so that existing wireless medical telemetry operations do not have to cease immediately. Beginning October 16, 2002, the FCC stopped authorizing new wireless medical telemetry equipment unless it is designed to operate in the WMTS frequency bands. However, existing wireless medical telemetry equipment, as well as any wireless medical telemetry equipment that receives FCC authorization before October 16, 2002 to operate in the "old" frequency bands, i.e., the television and private land mobile radio frequency bands, may continue to be manufactured, imported, marketed and operated indefinitely.

By providing such "grandfathering" protection to wireless medical telemetry systems operating under the pre-WMTS rules, the FCC has ensured that manufacturers will be able to make replacement parts for systems operating in the old bands, and that hospitals will be able to operate their existing systems as long as possible until replacement is necessary due to age or interference concerns. The registration of existing wireless medical telemetry devices with ASHE/AHA is permitted on a voluntary basis, but is not required.