Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) - Organization Chart

OET advises the Commission on frequency allocation and spectrum usage, maintains the Table of Frequency Allocations, and represents the agency on these issues with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee. OET advises and participates with other Commission bureaus and offices on proceedings regarding spectrum management, emerging technologies and technical standards by conducting engineering and technical analysis, testing equipment to determine its interference risks and technical operating parameters, and developing projects to gather theoretical and experimental data on new technologies.

OET promotes innovation by managing the Experimental Licensing program and the Equipment Authorization program, by developing technical regulations for the operation of unlicensed devices, and by convening the Technological Advisory Council for experts’ advice on technology developments.

OET contributes to the development of technical standards, regulations and general policies by conducting and publishing the results of engineering and technical studies on spectrum, broadband measurements and radio frequency (RF) exposure, and by maintaining liaisons with Federal agencies and technical experts in national and international organizations.

The Policy and Rules Division conducts proceedings to develop policy and rules with respect to spectrum allocation and use, equipment authorization, and unlicensed devices. The Division has taken the lead in making additional spectrum available for unlicensed operations in support of broadband services—e.g., TV white space devices operating on vacant channels in the television frequency bands and new WiFi channels in the 5 GHz UNII band—and opening other bands for a variety of unlicensed uses such as vehicular radar devices and wireless microphones. Other projects have focused on making spectrum available for the introduction of new licensed services such as Medical Radio Communications Services, commercial space operations, Advanced Wireless Services, and new 600 MHz wireless services in repurposed spectrum in the TV bands via Incentive Auctions. The Division maintains the Table of Frequency Allocations to reflect decisions taken at World Radio Conferences for the United States and Region II, as well as for other regions of the world. The Division also represents the Commission on NTIA’s Interdepartmental Radio Advisory Committee (IRAC) and coordinates Federal and non-Federal frequency assignments in shared frequency bands.

Technical Rules Branch
Develops technical rules and standards for unlicensed devices governed by Part 15 of the Commission’s rules and for Industrial/Scientific/Medical equipment governed by Part 18 of the Commission’s rules.

Spectrum Coordination Branch
Coordinates Federal and non-Federal frequency assignments in shared frequency bands and resolves cases of radio interference. Maintains awareness of technological developments and spectrum activities of Federal agencies by representing the Commission at regular meetings of the IRAC and its subcommittees. Conducts studies of spectrum resources and utilization to assist spectrum planning efforts.

Spectrum Policy Branch
Develops policy, regulations and procedures regarding spectrum allocation and use, including modifications to the Table of Frequency Allocation in Part 2 of the Commission’s rules.

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Division plans and conducts studies on radiowave propagation and communications systems characteristics, as well as develops analytical techniques and models to improve spectrum utilization. The Division conducts analytical studies for a variety of radio-based services, including developing predictive models for broadcasting services; developing the software for repacking broadcast television stations and analyzing the interference potential between broadcasting and other wireless services in the planned 600 MHz Incentive Auction; and developing regulations and measurements for evaluating human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields. The Division also studies and advises on broadband and Internet technologies and networks, and conducts studies to measure the speeds of broadband services delivered by Internet service providers over a variety of platforms, including wireline, wireless, cable and satellite. The Division is responsible for convening the Technological Advisory Council which provides the Commission with technical experts’ advice on areas of innovation and technology policy related to telecommunications. The Division also manages the Experimental Licensing program which promotes innovation in radio frequency technology and services.

Technical Analysis Branch
Plans and conducts studies on radiowave propagation and communications systems characteristics; develops analytical techniques and models to improve spectrum utilization; and develops regulations and measurements for evaluating human exposure to radio frequency electromagnetic fields.

Experimental Licensing Branch
Evaluates and grants licenses for radio frequency experimentation under Part 5 of the Commission’s rules.

The Laboratory Division identifies and evaluates radio frequency (RF) devices and related technologies to determine their interference risks and technical operating parameters in order to apply appropriate technical standards for their use or, in the case of new RF technologies, develops technical standards and recommends appropriate action. To support rulemaking proceedings, it conducts laboratory-based technical studies of competing technologies and arguments. The Laboratory also designs test procedures for equipment subject to Commission regulation and conducts tests to determine if equipment complies with applicable technical rules, procedures and standards, and it supports national and international standards activities to develop measurement procedures used to determine compliance with Commission requirements. The Laboratory manages the Equipment Authorization program, which ensures that equipment marketed within the U.S. complies with Commission regulations designed to minimize the potential for harmful interference, and participates in international efforts to harmonize conformity assessment procedures for equipment authorization via Mutual Recognition Agreements. The Laboratory responds to public requests for interpretations of Commission rules regarding equipment authorization and publishes guidance on compliance testing, measurement procedures and standards via the Knowledge Database (KDB).

The Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) is split between two locations. The Headquarters is located in Washington, DC and the Laboratory is located on Oakland Mills Road in Columbia, MD.

• Headquarters:
  • Federal Communications Commission
    Office of Engineering and Technology
    45 L Street NE
    Washington DC 20554
    Phone: +1-202-418-2470
    E-mail: oetinfo@fcc.gov
• OET Laboratory Division:
  • Federal Communications Commission
    Office of Engineering and Technology Laboratory Division
    7435 Oakland Mills Rd
    Columbia MD 21046-1609
    Phone: +1-301-362-3000
    Online: www.fcc.gov/labhelp

To send E-mail to individual staff members, the address would consist of their first and last name separated with a period, @fcc.gov. For example the E-mail address for Mr./Ms. Firstname Lastname would be Firstname.Lastname@fcc.gov.