FCC set to vote on white-space issue Nov. 4

The FCC's Office of Engineering Technology (OET) released a report stating white-space devices with geolocation and sensing technologies could be used with some conditions without interference to existing surrounding users such as television broadcasters and wireless microphones.

At the same time, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said he was going to circulate to his fellow commissioners the OET report that lays out what standards devices looking to operate in the white spaces must meet to avoid interference with broadcasters. He's seeking a vote on the idea at the FCC's Nov. 4 meeting. Though the OET stated geolocation and sensing technologies would be adequate to avoid interference, it said devices with sensing only technology would have to undergo another round of testing within the FCC labs.

Companies like Google, Microsoft and HP have argued for unlicensed use of the white-space--the unused slivers of spectrum in the 700 MHz band between spectrum used by broadcast TV stations. Broadcasters have opposed the idea, saying it will create too much interference. 

"I'm hoping to take advantage of utilizing these airwaves for broadband services to allow for unlicensed technologies and new innovations in that space," he said. "This spectrum is very conducive to broadband service ... the white spaces can be used as long as it does not interfere with broadcasters."

For more:
- read Cnet News [1]
- check out the Washington Post [2]

Related articles:
Could white space become the next BPL debacle? [3]
Google steps up white-space lobbying efforts [4] with new web site