[comp.dcom.telecom] Lightbeams aren't FCC regulated

goldstein%delni.DEC@decwrl.dec.com (Fred R. Goldstein dtn226-7388) (12/01/88)

Rahul Dhesi, in V8I189, suggests that lightbeam transmitters and
automobile headlights are subject to FCC regulation.  This is not
the case.

Last time I looked, the FCC regs covered frequencies up to 300 GHz.
Anything above that (where microwaves begin to approach infrared)
is not considered a radio emission, and is not covered by the FCC.
Hence you don't need a license for any kind of "optical" transmitter.

I think the top frequency used to be a lot lower (30 GHz in the early
'60s, perhaps) but nowadays, those upper microwaves are becoming
useful.  The atmosphere attenuates them pretty badly, but satellite
to satellite transmissions can use them.
       fred