FCC Approves New Wireless System

Federal regulators approved the use of a new wireless technology that could help rescue workers find people buried in rubble or locate stresses in the side of a bridge, overcoming fears it would interfere with important navigation aids.

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to approve limited use of ultra-wideband technology for hand-held wireless communications, ground-penetrating radar and vehicle collision avoidance systems.

The FCC approved the marketing and operation of products using UWB technology but limited it to the range above the 3.1-gigahertz frequency and, in some cases, restricted use to law enforcement, scientific researchers and certain industries such as construction.