IEEE 802.11y-2008 - Regulatory & 802.11y Time-line

Regulatory & 802.11y Time-line

• In 1995, NTIA (as per an OMB report) suggests the “transfer” of the 3650 MHz to 3700 MHz frequency band to “mixed use" status

• Dec 1998: FCC’s “3650 Allocation” press release announces this "primary" to "mixed use" transition, Dec 17 1998 (Kennard’s FCC.. see FCC 98-337)

• Jan 1999: The spectrum from 3650 to 3700 is given “mixed-use status” and becomes available for non-federal use

• Apr 2004: Original NPRM dated 04/23/2004 (FCC-04-100) from Powell's FCC.. Titled "Unlicensed Operation in the Band 3650-3700 MHz et al.". This is the proposed rules to maximize the efficient use of the 3650-3700 band and foster the introduction of new and advanced services

• Mar 2005: FCC releases R&O (from EOT) dated 03/16/2005, (FCC-05-56) which describes in detail the use of the 3650 band and is titled "Wireless Operations in the 3650-3700 MHz Band; Rules for Wireless Broadband Services in the 3650-3700 MHz Band"

• Mar 2005: 802.11's WNG requests that a CBP study group be formed (CBP-SG) to examine the opportunities afforded by FCC's 3650 MHz Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 05-56).

• Nov 2005: The PAR and Five Criteria from the CBP-SG are approved by the 802 Executive Committee creating the 802.11y Task Group.

• Jan 2007: First letter ballot received greater than 75% approval from 802.11 WG

• Jun 2007: This is the FCC's MO&O dated 06/07/2007 from OET (FCC-07-99) in which the Commission addresses the many petitions for reconsideration and other filings that resulted from FCC's 05-56 Report and Order see above.

• Jun 2007: Draft 3.0 received 94% approval from 802.11 WG

• Jul 2007: Conditional approval was obtained from the 802.11 Working Group and granted by the Executive Committee to forward .11y to sponsor ballot.

• Aug 2007: Last Ex-Parte comment filed on proceeding 04-151 in response to FCC's NPRM and R&O describing operations in the 3650 band. Almost 450 comments are filed. See WISPA's filing for example.

• Nov 2007: FCC begins providing the means, via FCC's Universal Licensing System, to allow non-Federal operators to purchase non-exclusive nationwide licenses to allow for licensed operations in the 3650 Band. Licensee call signs are assigned upon approval of application.

• Dec 21, 2007: IEEE/ISO Sponsor Ballot process begins for the 802.11 amendment y Standard using Draft 7 of the amendment.

• Jun 5 2008: Start of final 15 day Sponsor Ballot Recirc (#4) to seek approval of a Draft 11 after small Clause 17 edit. This draft will be forwarded to RevCom and the IEEE SA's Standards Board for approval and publication.

• Sep 26 2008: P802.11y is approved as a new standard during the IEEE-SA Standards Board's meeting that took place on this date. The final draft document for amendment y is forwarded to the IEEE's Standards Publications Department in preparation for printing. This Standard took about 31 "participant weeks" over 2.5 years to draft and ballot 74 pages and resolve 1638 comments for this amendment to the 802.11 Base Standard.