Wireless Microphone

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 to commence field testing of white-space devices

Lynnette Luna — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:22:00 -0400

The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology announced it will begin field testing of prototype white-white space devices on Monday. The testing is part of its rule making process to determine whether these devices are capable of co-existing on an unlicensed basis with television broadcasts. Up until now, the FCC has conducted laboratory tests using prototypes.

The issue of using unlicensed white-space spectrum has been a significant area of contention, as the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) staunchly oppose the use based on interference concerns. Heavy wireless microphone users such as the NFL and entertainers are also concerned over the idea.

"NAB has no quarrel with field tests, but based upon multiple failures of unlicensed devices in laboratory testing thus far, we remain highly skeptical that this technology will ever work as advertised," NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton said in a statement regarding the FCC's next moves to field test the devices.

NAB continues to point out that the devices failed to work properly during lab testing, while white-space advocates--including Google and Microsoft--claim the malfunctions were power malfunctions and had nothing to do with whether they interfered with television signals. In fact, they say, the devices showed no interference problems, they say.

NAB and CTIA are aligned on the notion that white-space spectrum should be licensed to prevent interference.

For more:
- read the FCC's public notice

Related stories:
The drama continues over white-space spectrum. White space story
Professional sports leagues concerned about white space spectrum. White space interference story

ESPN, NFL invite FCC to test white-space devices during football season

Lynnette Luna — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:59:34 -0400

ESPN and the National Football League have invited the FCC to field test white-space devices under "real world" conditions during the 2008-2009 football season. The NFL and a number of sports teams have voiced their concern about potential interference white-space devices may pose to wireless microphones used to broadcast their events.

The FCC to date has been testing white-space devices in a lab but has said it will undergo another round of testing in the field within the next few weeks.

"We are offering our assistance, expertise, access to facilities and equipment and other resources so that the Commission, including the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET), can conduct field testing of the potential impact of [white space devices] on wireless microphone operations during a live sporting event," ESPN and the NFL stated in a filing with the FCC. They further offered to hold testing at the Baltimore Raven's M&T Bank Stadium and the Washington Redskin's FedExField in Landover, Md., which are close to the FCC's headquarters.

ESPN and the NFL indicated they "strongly support" the FCC's repeated commitments to ensure that all users are protected from interference by white space devices. "As such the conditions at these events provide an excellent opportunity to stage a meaningful, real-world test under actual operating conditions as they exist in a sports stadium to ensure that there is no resulting ‘harmful interference' to wireless microphones."

For more:
- read this release

Related stories:
Professional sports leagues concerned about white space spectrum. White-space story
Microsoft: FCC's tests validate white space. Microsoft story