Companies step up push to license white-space spectrum

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:17:04 -0400

As companies such as Motorola, Google and Intel lobby the FCC for access to the unlicensed white-space spectrum a number of companies and organizations are making the argument that the spectrum should be licensed. Along with the National Association of Broadcasters, which fears interference from unlicensed white-space devices, Aloha Partners, Qualcomm, CTIA and the Rural Cellular Association are making a last-minute push for licensing the spectrum. House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) has also called on the FCC to license the spectrum.

The Brattle Group also recently released a new study, which was underwritten by Qualcomm, estimating that the U.S. Treasury could make as much as $24 billion from an auction of white-space spectrum. That figure is some $5 billion more than what was made at the 700 MHz auction.

"There is no evidence for the claim the TV white space would spur innovation in unlicensed applications," stated the Brattle Group in an FCC filing. "Although unlicensed spectrum can provide a good home for low-power, short-range systems and thus facilitate innovation in such systems, the TV white space is ‘overqualified' for such applications. Devoting TV spectrum to low-power, short-range systems is like using land in downtown Tokyo to grow rice."

The FCC is wrapping up tests of prototype devices that access unused television airwaves, called "white spaces," to see if they will interfere with television broadcasts.

For more:
- check out RCR News

Related stories:
Pressure mounting in white space debate
Google steps up white-space lobbying efforts with new web site

CTIA renews call for veto of ITC chip ban

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 06:59:56 -0400

As the White House ponders whether to veto the International Trade Commission's ban on mobile devices containing Qualcomm's 3G chipsets, the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) renewed its concern about the impact of the ban, citing a report from The Brattle Group that says $21.1 billion could be at stake for U.S. consumers and producers.

"CTIA-The Wireless Association is deeply concerned that the ITC order banning new models of wireless broadband handsets will cause unprecedented economic harm to tens of millions of American wireless consumers, and because of that we urge President Bush to veto the order," said CTIA CEO Steve Largent.

The ITC banned the import of new cell phones made with Qualcomm 1xEV-DO and WCDMA chipsets. The ITC says those chipsets infringe upon patents held by Broadcom. Qualcomm is pursuing a presidential veto and garner an appeal in federal court. White House vetoes of ITC orders are rare, with the last such presidential veto of an ITC decision coming more than 20 years ago. The White House has 60 days from June 7 to act on the request for a veto.

The Brattle Group analysis concludes that the ITC order will cause direct economic damage to U.S. consumers and producers, ranging between $4.3 billion and $21.1 billion and will cause billions more in lost productivity across the U.S. economy. The direct economic harm to consumers alone could be as high as $17.7 billion, the report says.

For more about CTIA's concerns and The Brattle Group's report:
- read this release
- check out the report

Related articles:
- Qualcomm pulls out all the stops for ITC veto case
- Qualcomm rejects Broadcom settlement offer
- Broadcom urges president to uphold chip ban