Womble Perspectives
Welcome to Womble Perspectives, where we explore a wide range of topics from the latest legal updates to industry trends to the business of law. Our team of lawyers, professionals and occasional outside guests will take you through the most pressing issues facing businesses today and provide practical and actionable advice to help you navigate the ever-changing legal landscape. With a focus on innovation, collaboration and client service, we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients and to the communities we serve.
Womble Perspectives
POWDER Power: FCC Opens Door for Experimental Wireless Platforms
Today, we’re diving into a fascinating story at the intersection of wireless technology, academic research, and federal regulation.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau recently granted a conditional waiver to the University of Utah—an important move that could pave the way for groundbreaking wireless research across the country.
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Welcome to Womble Perspectives, where we explore a wide range of topics, from the latest legal updates to industry trends to the business of law. Our team of lawyers, professionals and occasional outside guests will take you through the most pressing issues facing businesses today and provide practical and actionable advice to help you navigate the ever changing legal landscape.
With a focus on innovation, collaboration and client service. We are committed to delivering exceptional value to our clients and to the communities we serve. And now our latest episode.
Welcome back to Womble Perspectives, where we explore the legal and regulatory developments shaping innovation across industries. Today, we’re diving into a fascinating story at the intersection of wireless technology, academic research, and federal regulation.
The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau recently granted a conditional waiver to the University of Utah—an important move that could pave the way for groundbreaking wireless research across the country.
So, what’s this all about?
The waiver allows the University to use its experimental platform called POWDER—short for Platform for Open Wireless Data-driven Experimental Research—to test new wireless systems and applications in the Citizens Broadband Radio Service band.
Citizens Broadband Radio Service is a unique slice of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz range. It’s managed through a tiered sharing system that balances access between federal incumbents, licensed users, and unlicensed users. This structure enables both commercial and experimental use while protecting critical operations like radar systems.
POWDER is no ordinary research tool. It’s a collaborative effort between the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, and the Utah Education and Telehealth Network. The platform includes fixed and mobile radio systems, including software-defined radios, and operates within a designated “Innovation Zone” in Salt Lake City.
Until now, POWDER operated under FCC experimental licenses. But the University needed more flexibility—specifically, access to mid-band spectrum that’s typically off-limits without formal equipment authorization. That’s where the waiver comes in.
The FCC agreed that the University’s request was in the public interest. Why? Because the research being conducted could inform future wireless technologies and spectrum management strategies. The Bureau also found that the University’s safeguards—like limiting access to authorized users and confining operations to a specific geographic zone—helped minimize security and interference risks.
Importantly, the FCC recognized that requiring full equipment authorization for every device tested would be unnecessarily burdensome for academic research. This waiver sets a precedent, offering a roadmap for other universities to follow.
In short, this decision opens the door for higher education institutions to play a more active role in shaping the future of wireless communications—without getting bogged down in regulatory red tape.
That’s it for today’s episode of Womble Perspectives. If you’re in academia, tech, or telecom, this is one development worth keeping an eye on. Be sure to subscribe for more insights on how policy and innovation intersect.
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