Medical Telemetry Service Established

The FCC has allocated spectrum and established licensing and service rules for a new wireless medical telemetry service (WMTS). Medical telemetry equipment is used to transmit patient data, including heart rate and blood pressure data to health care facilities. The equipment allows patients increased mobility while still being monitored.

The Commission allocated 14 MHz of spectrum for WMTS in the 608-614 MHz, 1395-1400 MHz and 1429-1432 MHz bands. The first of these bands is television channel 37 – although it's been reserved for radio astronomy. WMTS will now be co-primary with radio astronomy in this band. The latter two bands were reallocated from former government use.