Unrestricted Permits for Ultrawideband Devices

Ultrawideband (UWB) technology offers tremendous benefits. It enables new applications, and makes other valuable applications more cost-effective than was previously possible. However, this technology creates novel challenges f o r regulators. UWB devices share spectrum with existing licensed systems, potentially causing interference. Moreover, some UWB applications raise serious privacy concerns. This submission proposes an alternative spectrum management approach f o r UWB devices that will encourage deployment while managing spectral interference and privacy abuses. Under this approach, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) would distribute permits to manufacture or import devices, instead of the more traditional approach of distributing licenses to use the devices at a given location. This would allow the FCC to monitor, and if necessary, regulate the number and type of UWB devices deployed, without placing onerous restrictions on users.