High Definition Tv

FCC begins second round of white-space testing

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 06:59:55 -0500

During its open meeting last week, the FCC announced its schedule for testing four new devices designed to operate in white-space spectrum--those airwaves that sit between broadcasters' high-definition TV airwaves. The FCC is reviewing four devices from Microsoft, Philips, Motorola and Adaptrum as part of Phase II of white space testing. The FCC laboratory will commence testing the devices next week and expects the tests to continue for about four to six weeks. Field testing will follow the lab tests and take an additional four to six weeks.

Last year,a group of high-tech companies that include Google, Intel, Dell, HP and Microsoft, which collectively formed the White Space Coalition, delivered to the FCC two WiFi devices that the group claimed operated in this spectrum without interfering with high-definition TV. However, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology found in preliminary trials of the prototypes that "the transmitter in the prototype device is capable of causing interference to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones." However, the FCC is committed to making sure white-space spectrum is used to usher in more broadband competition.

For more of coverage of last week's FCC meeting:
- read the full article here
- also check out the FCC press release on Phase II

Related articles:
Sprint, T-Mobile advocate white space for backhaul Report
FCC to revisit white spaces Report
Interest in white spaces heats up Report
White space concepts go back to drawing board Report

New group formed to push white-space services

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:59:56 -0500

A coalition of technology companies, public-interest advocates, think tanks and higher education organizations launched an alliance designed to work with the Federal Communications Commission and other policymakers to develop regulations that will enable the use of television "white space" for broadband services. White space is the unused spectrum that sits between airwaves licensed to television broadcasters.

The Wireless Innovation Alliance's 15 members include Google, Microsoft, HP and Dell. Those are the same names that have been involved with the While Space Coalition, which earlier this year delivered to the FCC two WiFi devices the group claimed operated in this spectrum without interfering with high-definition TV. However, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology found through preliminary trials of the prototypes that "the transmitter in the prototype device is capable of causing interference to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones."

Google recently presented results of an "initial phase of ongoing trials" around white space technology it says demonstrates digital televisions and wireless services can exist side-by-side without interference.

To read more about the Wireless Innovation Alliance:
- check out this release

Related articles:
- FCC revisits white space Article
- Microsoft offers WiFi prototype for TV white space Article

Google steps up white space efforts

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 06:59:57 -0500

It's certainly not new news that Google is investigating the notion of using "white spaces," or unlicensed spectrum that sit between airwaves currently licensed to TV broadcasters. But it's interesting that the company, which filed to bid in the January 700 MHz spectrum auction, seems to be stepping up its efforts in the area, recently presenting results of an "initial phase of ongoing trials" around white space technology it says demonstrates digital televisions and wireless services can exist side-by-side without interference. White space is certainly a more favorable alternative for a company that would be required to bid billions for spectrum and spend billions more to build out a network in the 700 MHz band--especially if it desires to just build a network solely to offer wholesale access to resellers.

Good new for Google, however. The FCC appears committed to making sure that white space spectrum will facilitate broadband competition it desires. Earlier this year, a group of high-tech companies that include Google, Intel, Dell, HP and Microsoft, which collectively formed the White Space Coalition, delivered to the FCC two WiFi devices the group claimed operated in this spectrum without interfering with high-definition TV. However, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology has found through preliminary trials of the prototypes that "the transmitter in the prototype device is capable of causing interference to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones."

In October, the FCC said it will continue to test whether WiFi and other short-range wireless technology enabled devices can work in the white spaces between TV broadcast spectrum

For more on the tests:
- read this report from MarketWatch

White space concept goes back to the drawing board

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:59:56 -0400

The Federal Communications Commission really likes the "white space" concept--the notion of using unlicensed TV white space for WiFi services. That's why it has been quick to address the failure of prototype white-space devices to operate without interfering with existing TV broadcasts as an "initial" try. A group of high-tech companies that include Google, Intel, Dell, HP and Microsoft, which collectively formed the White Space Coalition, delivered to the FCC two WiFi devices that the group claimed operated in this spectrum without interfering with high-definition TV. However, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology has found through preliminary trials of the prototypes that "the transmitter in the prototype device is capable of causing interference to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones."

Now the FCC says that the coalition's effort might have been premature. "The devices we have tested represent an initial effort, and do not necessarily represent the full capabilities that might be developed with sufficient time and resources," the FCC said in its report on the initial measurements of TV white space devices. "Accordingly, we are open to the possibility that future prototype devices may exhibit improved performance."

For its part, the coalition said it plans to work with the FCC to "identify the discrepancies in their tests with the tests we've done," said Edmond Thomas, a coalition representative, according to media reports. Thomas is a former chief engineer of the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology.

The FCC loves the idea of wireless broadband for the masses in unregulated spectrum. But it faces heavy lobbying from licensed users, including the broadcasting industry.

For more about the white space debacle:
- read this article from InformationWeek
- check out the FCC's report here.

FCC: White space devices could interfere with TV

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:59:57 -0400

The heavyweight high-tech companies Intel, Google, Dell, HP and Microsoft have hit a setback in their quest to gain FCC approval for the use of unlicensed TV white space for WiFi services. In March, the companies, together called the White Space Coalition, delivered to the FCC two WiFi devices that the group says operates in this spectrum without interfering with high-definition TV. However, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology has found through preliminary trials of the prototypes that "the transmitter in the prototype device is capable of causing interference to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones." The FCC, which appears to highly favor the white-space concept, stressed that the tests were preliminary, which is an indication that it will keep studying the concept.

For more about the FCC's preliminary results:
- check out this article from NewsFactor.com