N-WEST News #3a
National Wireless Electronic Systems Testbed (N-WEST)

July 1, 1998

N-WEST PLANS STRATEGY SESSION WITH SUPPORTING COMPANIES

N-WEST announced a July 24 Strategy Session in Boulder, Colorado. Representatives of all Supporting Companies are invited to attend to participate in developing specific plans for N-WEST and for the creation of standardization efforts for the broadband wireless industry. Representatives of Supporting Companies will be receiving further details. Others who wish to participate may wish to consider signing up as a Supporting Company before the meeting. A simple form, which entails no specific obligation, is available on the N-WEST Web Site.

N-WEST PARTICIPATES IN WCA'98 PANEL DISCUSSION ON LMDS INDUSTRY

N-WEST Director Roger Marks participated in a panel discussion on LMDS at the WCA'98 Convention of the Wireless Communications Association International in Philadelphia. Former Congressman and LMDS consultant Dr. Weston Vivian of Vivian and Associates moderated the session. The invited panel also included Dr. Narisa Chu (LMDS industry organizer and technical consultant to several LMDS license winners), Gary Zieres (Director of LMDS Broadband Sales for Ericsson), Rick White (Director of Business Development for Nortel Broadband Wireless Access), Jeanine Poltronieri (Associate Chief, FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau), Jonathan Levy (Economist, FCC Office of Plans and Policy) and Bob James (Engineer and LMDS expert with the FCC).

Earlier in the day, FCC Chairman William E. Kennard addressed the conference by videotape, noting "I applaud WCA for its expanded focus on the potential to deliver broadband voice, video and data services using wireless technology. This fits right into my vision for the FCC." Chairman Kennard's Legal Advisor Ari Fitzgerald amplified the Chairman's message.

PROPOSED IEEE INDUSTRY-CENTRIC STANDARDS PROCESS

The N-WEST Web Site now includes the text of a proposal concerning the IEEE Industry-Centric Standards Process. This proposed IEEE process aims to encourage the rapid development of industry consensus standards under the umbrella of a non-profit consortium linked to a significant transnational technical organization.
Roger Marks (marks@nist.gov)