N-WEST News #19
National Wireless Electronic Systems Testbed (N-WEST)

November 5, 1999

Topics:

IEEE 802.16 READY TO EVALUATE DOZENS OF PROPOSALS IN SESSION #4

In response to its Call for Contributions, the IEEE 802.16 Working Group on Broadband Wireless Access has received dozens of initial proposals for the air interface standard 802.16.1. These proposals are posted to the 802.16 web site, and most will be presented at 802.16's Session #4 The meeting agenda includes:

IEEE 802.16 MAKES PROGRESS IN BWA COEXISTENCE

The 802.16 Coexistence Task Group continue progress toward completing Recommended Practice 802.16.2. The Task Group has received 11 contributions for consideration in Session #4

N-WEST DISCUSSED IN U.S. SENATE TESTIMONY

In testimony before the United States Senate's Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space on October 28, the Honorable Andrew J. Pincus, General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Commerce, addressed The Role of Standards in Growth of the Global Electronic Commerce. In the section entitled "U.S. Government Policy in Action" the testimony includes a paragraph on N-WEST:

"An example of how NIST is currently working with industry to improve interoperability at the interface level is the National Wireless Electronic Systems Testbed (N-WEST) project that is working to develop and define technical standards for broadband wireless access technology. NIST's efforts are accelerating private sector-led standardization, which is critical to making this alternative access network affordable and widely available (potentially for high-speed wireless Internet access). NIST involvement has also made the difference in ensuring broad industry participation in the standardization effort by serving as a neutral forum and facilitator of industry dialogue."

N-WEST IN THE NEWS

Roger Marks was quoted in the lead Business section story of the Denver Rocky Mountain News of October 6. The article was entitled MCI, Sprint Hope to Bypass Bells: Merger Partners Hope to Adapt 'Wireless Cable' to Communications Uses.

LETTER IN IEEE SPECTRUM

In the November issue of IEEE Spectrum, the Forum section includes a letter by Roger Marks spotlighting the role of IEEE 802.16 in accelerating the development and deployment of fixed broadband wireless access systems. The article is available on-line to IEEE members.

RECENT TALKS

Roger Marks addressed broadband wireless access standards in Distinguished Microwave Lectures to the Portland MTT/ED Chapter of the IEEE in Beaverton, Oregon (October 27) and to the Seattle IEEE MTT and Communications Society Chapters in Redmond, Washington (October 28) .

UPCOMING TALKS

November 12, 1999
Roger Marks will address broadband wireless access standards in an Electrical Engineering Department Seminar at the University of Hawaii in conjunction with the Honolulu Section of the IEEE. The talk is at 4:00 pm in Marine Sciences 100. Contact Michael DeLisio.
November 18, 1999
Roger Marks will address broadband wireless access standards in a Distinguished Microwave Lecture during a 6:30 pm dinner meeting of the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Section of the IEEE. The location is Pei'S, 5131 Council St. N.E. in Cedar Rapids. Contact Jim Cozzie.

NEW N-WEST SUPPORTING COMPANY

We now have 77 N-WEST Supporting Companies as we welcome:
Dr. Roger Marks (marks@nist.gov)