The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed to allocate radiofrequency spectrum and establish service and technical rules for the operation of Medical Body Area Network (MBAN) systems. The FCC envisions that MBANs would provide a platform for the wireless networking of multiple body sensors used for monitoring a patient’s physiological data, primarily in health care facilities. The use of MBANs would help eliminate the need for hardwired, patient-attached cables used by current monitoring technologies. The FCC’s proposal is a continuation of its efforts to satisfy the spectrum requirements of wireless medical technologies, and is responsive to a request submitted by GE Healthcare (GEHC). The deadlines for submitting comments and reply comments on the FCC’s proposal are 60 and 90 days, respectively, from the time the proposal is published in the Federal Register, which has not yet occurred.

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