UW-Madison - IT - Wireless Spectrum Conflict Resolution Procedure

This procedure applies to anyone who operates, in UW–Madison spaces, equipment that emits energy in the wireless spectrum, including UW–Madison faculty, staff, students, affiliates, contractors, vendors, and visitors. This procedure applies to authorized operation of wireless equipment in the licensed spectrum only insofar as such operation causes harmful or unintended interference with other operators’ equipment.  

Responsibilities of Wireless Equipment Operators

Whenever possible, operators shall work directly with other operators to avoid and resolve interference. 

If working directly with another operator is not feasible or does not produce a solution, the operator may seek assistance from their local IT staff or school, college, or division (S/C/D) IT leadership, who may facilitate engagement between operators or propose alternate solutions. In cases where it is not feasible to engage local IT staff or S/C/D IT leadership, an operator may alternatively contact the DoIT Help Desk for additional resources.

If local IT staff or S/C/D IT leadership cannot facilitate a resolution or the DoIT Help Desk is unable to identify local IT staff or S/C/D IT leadership to assist an equipment operator, the matter may be referred to DoIT Network Services. DoIT Network Services staff shall attempt to work with all parties to resolve the issue.

If, despite best efforts, Network Services is unable to facilitate resolution, the matter will be referred to the advisory group designated under Section I of the Wireless Spectrum Resources Coordination Policy. The advisory group shall propose a solution to the VP-IT (CIO). The VP-IT/CIO will, as appropriate, work with other senior leaders and consult with the university IT Committee (ITC) to resolve the issue.

Consideration Requirements

The advisory group shall consider the following in developing proposed solutions. However, in all cases, the advisory group shall have the latitude to propose the solution most appropriate for the specific circumstances.

• Relative priority of use - Uses should generally be prioritized in the following order:

  1. Safety and security: Uses that facilitate prevention of harm, including loss of life or limb, serious impairment of health, or loss of property (e.g., e911 Wi-Fi calling, opioid rescue boxes, security cameras, electronic door locks) 

  2. University mission: Uses that advance:

     • Research

     • Teaching and learning or the accessibility thereof (e.g., live captioning)

     • Outreach

  3. Community support: Uses that provide information or services to the university community

Microwaves, wireless HDMI transmitters, and other equipment that does not communicate directly with a receiver (i.e., “non-cooperative emitters”) shall be given the lowest priority.

• Relative time-sensitivity of the activities being supported by use of the wireless spectrum

• Relative risks inherent to the operators’ inability to use the spectrum as desired

• Available solutions - The full range of available solutions should be considered and their feasibility  assessed, including potential consequences of each solution (e.g., expenses incurred for adjustments, reputational harm caused by research delays, loss of data due to disruptions).

• Compliance - Operators who can demonstrate compliance with the Wireless Spectrum Resources Coordination Policy, including this procedure and the Wireless Equipment Implementation Standard, should be given priority over those who have not complied with these policy documents. 

Whenever possible, recommended solutions shall allow all operators to continue using their equipment (e.g., by operating at different times of day or in alternative locations). Taking equipment offline without an operator’s consent is an extreme solution and shall be recommended only when no other reasonable option is available.

Roles and Responsibilities

Table 1 defines roles and responsibilities for effectively sharing wireless resources. 

Table 1: Wireless Spectrum Conflict Resolution Roles and Responsibilities

Entity	Role	Responsibilities
Wireless Equipment Operator	Avoid or resolve wireless conflicts	Follow requirements in the Wireless Equipment Implementation Standard. Work directly with other operators to pursue cooperative resolution for any conflicts Seek help from local IT staff or S/C/D IT leadership (or the DoIT Help Desk) when unable to resolve a conflict
Local IT Staff or S/C/D IT Leadership	Assist wireless equipment operators with avoiding or resolving conflicts	Field inquiries and complaints related to wireless conflicts Direct wireless equipment operators to resources they can use to resolve conflicts directly (e.g., the Wireless Equipment Directory, knowledge documents, operator contact information) As appropriate and practicable, provide equipment operators with technical support needed to help resolve conflicts Escalate inquiries when appropriate
DoIT Help Desk	Assist wireless equipment operators with avoiding or resolving conflicts	Field inquiries and complaints related to wireless conflicts Direct wireless equipment operators to resources they can use to resolve conflicts directly (e.g., the Wireless Equipment Directory, knowledge documents, operator contact information) Connect wireless equipment operators with local IT staff or S/C/D IT leadership as appropriate As appropriate and practicable, provide equipment operators with technical support needed to help resolve conflicts Escalate inquiries when appropriate
DoIT Network Services	Act as a resource for effective shared use of the wireless spectrum on the UW–Madison campus	Field inquiries and complaints related to wireless equipment deployment As appropriate and practicable, provide equipment operators, local IT staff or S/C/D IT leadership, and DoIT Help Desk staff with technical support needed to help resolve conflicts Escalate inquiries when appropriate
Advisory Group	Advise the VP-IT/CIO and other responsible leaders on coordinating use of wireless spectrum resources	Apply the Wireless Spectrum Resources Coordination Policy and its related documents (e.g., standards, procedures) to recommend a path for resolving any conflict not successfully resolved at lower levels
Vice Provost for Information Technology (VP-IT) & Chief Information Officer (CIO)	Manage wireless spectrum resources in alignment with UW–Madison strategic goals	Make final decisions for resolving wireless spectrum conflicts, in consultation with the  advisory group, the university Information Technology Committee (ITC), and relevant senior leaders

Contact

Please address questions or comments to itpolicy@cio.wisc.edu.

Related References