The Federal Network Agency has made the frequencies for Ultra-Wideband technology (UWB) in the frequency range 30 MHz – 10.6 GHz available to the market since January 16, 2008, through a general allocation. This allows anyone to use these frequencies free of charge and without application, provided the provisions of the general allocation are observed.
UWB technology enables extremely broadband radio transmission paths, which facilitate the bridging of short distances (up to a few meters) using extremely low radiation power. This is ideal for coverage within a single room or smaller apartments, offices, or workshops. Furthermore, providing coverage within vehicle interiors is a typical application area.
Instead of cumbersome cabling, a wireless connection can be established using UWB frequencies for Hi-Fi, audio, video, and IT components such as printers, hard drives, monitors, scanners, keyboards, and mice. Thus, the widely used USB interface in information technology can be implemented on a purely radio-technical basis.
Further applications are conceivable in the commercial and industrial sectors. For instance, these frequencies can be utilized for data transmissions in medical applications, measurement technology, positioning and monitoring technology, as well as for the entire range of applications that could not be realized previously due to insufficient bandwidth.
With this frequency allocation, new ground is being broken regarding the width of the assigned spectrum. The frequency usage regulations are therefore complex and stipulate the deployment of modern techniques to account for the protection of other radio services. The Federal Network Agency will intensively monitor the effects of UWB usage to potentially modify the operational and technical parameters for UWB technology.
With this frequency allocation, the Federal Network Agency fulfills its obligation to implement a corresponding decision by the European Commission (European Commission Decision on the harmonized use of frequency spectrum for ultra-wideband devices in the Community of February 21, 2007). The Federal Network Agency's directive can be accessed immediately on its website.
Source: Press release from the Federal Network Agency dated January 16, 2008, Federal Network Agency for Electricity, Gas, Telecommunications, Post and Railways Press Office, Tulpenfeld 4, 53113 Bonn, www.bundesnetzagentur.de
For any inquiries regarding this matter, Goldberg Attorneys at Law are at your disposal.
Goldberg Attorneys at Law, Wuppertal-Solingen 2008
Attorney at Law Michael Ullrich, LL.M.(Information Law)
m.ullrich@goldberg.de
