FCC asks court to wait on white-space ruling

The FCC has asked the D.C. Circuit Court to delay any ruling on challenges to the commission's white-space rules until it can review other petitions it has received requesting reconsideration of the ruling.

The Bush administration's FCC approved the use of unlicensed spectrum in the 700 MHz band to be used for super-WiFi devices. But broadcasters and wireless microphone users such as professional sports teams, churches and entertainment companies have been staunchly opposed, citing interference problems.

The Association for Maximum Service Television and the National Association of Broadcasters filed a petition in the federal court of appeals for the D.C. Circuit to stop the FCC from enforcing the rules. These entities filed a petition in court rather than a petition of reconsideration with the FCC. Other entities have filed petitions with the FCC.

The FCC voted to approve the use of both unlicensed fixed band devices and portable personal devices that have both geolocation capabilities and the ability to access an FCC database of TV signals and locations of things such as stadiums, churches and entertainment venues where wireless microphones were being used and scan for possible interference issues. These database and geolocation capabilities would, in theory, prevent interference with broadcast TV stations and wireless microphones and ensure compliance with FCC rules.

For more:
- see Broadcasting & Cable [1]

Related articles:
FCC [2] white space rules to take effect in March
Google [3], tech allies form white space lobbying group
FCC approves white spaces [4], creates interference restrictions
Microsoft [5] intensifies white-space lobbying efforts
Lawmakers jump into fray over white space [6]