FCC Proposal to Allocate Spectrum For Wireless Medical Body Area Networks

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Genachowski joined GE Healthcare and Philips Healthcare at the George Washington University Hospital in Washington (DC) to announce that the FCC will consider new rules to allow greater use of spectrum for Medical Body Area Network (MBAN) devices, spurring innovation and development of new wireless health technologies. These new rules would make the United States the first country in the world to allocate spectrum for MBAN devices. Greater access to spectrum can revolutionize the health care industry, reducing the cost, and increasing the effectiveness of patient monitoring.

Next week at its open meeting, the FCC will consider adopting new rules permitting more intensive use of spectrum for wireless medical devices, making the U.S. the first country in the world to dedicate spectrum for Medical Body Area Networks in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. MBAN technology consists of small, low-powered sensors on the body that capture clinical information, such as temperature and respiratory function. These sensors free patients from the set of wires that would otherwise anchor them to their hospital bed. As patients recover, the technology allows them to move about the health care facility, while still being monitored for any health issues that might develop. MBANs consist of two paired devices—one that is worn on the body (sensor) and another that is located either on the body or in close proximity to it (hub).