In addition to assigning licensed and unlicensed spectrum for various wireless applications, often in concert with the international standards community, the FCC can set aside spectrum for various applications that are in the public interest. In mid-1997, the FCC set aside 350 MHz of free, unlicensed radio spectrum for a new category of terminal equipment suitable for schools and others seeking to install wireless LANs under the National Information Infrastructure (NII) initiative.
The new category of terminals, so-called NII/SuperNet terminals, include PCs and laptops equipped with radio receivers to transmit data over short distances at up to 25 Mbps. This is an alternative to poking through thick classroom walls to install a wired LAN.
The FCC also made provisions to allow part of the band to carry traffic throughout a campus or even a community. The highest 100 MHz of the band has a power limit 20 times higher than the lowest 100 MHz of the band. This will enable remote LAN access, though probably not in dense urban areas. The move satisfies the FCC's policy goal of promoting WAN applications, such as rural telemedicine and community access to classroom networks.
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