FCC expected to release white-space findings next month

Lynnette Luna — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:10:14 -0400

The FCC is expected to report its findings on field tests it conducted this month of prototype white-space devices. Soon after, the commission itself is expected to take up the contentious issue of whether the spectrum can be used for unlicensed devices or whether they pose too much of an interference threat to television broadcasters and wireless microphone users.

Companies such as Google and Microsoft want to use this spectrum to develop new mobile communications devices. However, the initiative has raised the ire of the National Association of Broadcasters, which argues that white-space devices may interfere with existing television broadcasts.

While the FCC wrapped up its field tests of the prototypes last week, there is still no clear indication of how well they performed. Motorola said its prototypes incorporating geolocation technology performed well. According to The Wall Street Journal, a prototype designed by Philips Electronics North America was too sensitive. The device indicated that every TV channel at FedEx Field was in use, which wasn't the case. The protoypes are supposed to detect signals that are in use to avoid interference. Representatives from the NFL, ESPN and wireless-microphone manufacturer Shure, watched the FCC engineers with shaking heads.

Meanwhile, lobbyists are getting Capitol Hill involved in the white space debate. Last week, eight members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin asking the FCC to adopt rules governing white space spectrum within the next 90 days so that the spectrum can be used to establish low-cost broadband connectivity in rural areas and across the country.

And just last week Representatives Anna Eshoo and Edward Markey wrote a similar letter to Martin, warning him that wireless carriers are "seeking unnecessary and unprecedented testing delays to prevent new innovative competitors from entering the market."

For more:
- see The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.)
- read this NY Times article

Related stories:
White space debate won't be resolved with field testing. White space editorial
Motorola exec: FCC white space testing going well. Motorola white space story

FCC looks to fast-track free wireless broadband network initiative

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:18:43 -0400

The FCC is looking for feedback on options to auction a nationwide wireless broadband license that would require the licensee to offer free broadband services. The FCC hopes to secure rules for the licensee by August.

The commission is proposing to combine the 2155 to 2175 MHz band with the 2175 MHz to 2180 MHz band to create a 25-megahertz swathe of spectrum that would support a nationwide license. The spectrum is referred to as advanced wireless services-3.

"This larger block size may allow the AWS-3 licensee to make more robust use of the spectrum while operating at a stricter out-of-band emission limit," the FCC stated. "Alternatively, another proposed option would be to retain the 2155-2175 MHz AWS-3 block and allow the licensee to operate with a more traditional out-of-band emission limit."

The plan, however, is already riddled in controversy, with major operators raising concern about interference to their operations in adjacent frequencies and accusing regulators of creating an auction tailored to a specific business model. The plan is similar to what M2Z Networks proposed back in 2006. The company asked the FCC for 25 megahertz of vacant spectrum in the 2155 MHz to 2175 MHz band to offer free wireless broadband service. The FCC subsequently dismissed M2Z's request. More recently, Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced new legislation, known as the Wireless International Nationwide for Families Act, that would direct the FCC to auction unused spectrum, the 2155 MHz to 2180MHz band, and require the winner to offer a free wireless broadband network that reaches 95 percent of the U.S. population within 10 years.

Under FCC proposals, the licensee of this band would be required to use up to 25 percent of its network capacity for free, two-way broadband service at data rates of at least 768 kbps downstream. A network-based filtering mechanism would also be required for the free Internet service to protect children and families from obscene content. The winning bidder of the AWS-3 band would also have to offer coverage and service to at least 50 percent of the U.S. population within four years and at least 95 percent of the population by the end of 10 years.

T-Mobile, which won a huge amount of spectrum in the AWS band, buying 120 licenses for about $4.2 billion, raised concerns about interference from the band. Tom Sugrue, vice president of government affairs with T-Mobile said the "commission appears to be denying itself the opportunity to engage in the appropriate joint testing required to examine empirically the significant interference issues raised in this proceeding. T-Mobile looks forward to detailing these concerns in its comments and to sharing with the commission its own interference test results."

For more:
- read RCR Wireless News

Related stories:
FCC mulls another spectrum auction. Read this spectrum auction story.
Will a spectrum auction requiring free broadband services work? Read this spectrum auction editorial
Congresswoman proposes free wireless broadband. Read this free broadband story