National Association Of Broadcasters

FCC unanimously approves unlicensed white-space devices

Lynnette Luna — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:49:09 -0500

The FCC voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the unlicensed use of TV white space spectrum for wireless applications and devices but added some conditions under which the devices would have to operate to prevent interference.

The white-space spectrum, which sits between airwaves licensed to TV broadcasters, has been the subject of debate with companies such as Google, Microsoft and Motorola lobbying the FCC heavily for approval, saying unlicensed use of the spectrum would unleash super WiFi networks that have greater scope than today's WiFi systems. Broadcasters and wireless microphone users such as entertainers and professional sports groups adamantly oppose its use. An FCC engineering report recently OK'd the use of white-space devices.

The conditions the FCC imposed includes requiring both fixed and portable devices to include geolocation capabilities and use an FCC database of TV signals and location of venues such as stadiums and churches that use wireless microphones. These database and geolocation capabilities would, in theory, prevent interference with broadcast TV stations and wireless microphones and ensure compliance with FCC rules.

The FCC did not approve devices that used spectrum sensing technology only, but did say that these devices could be approved at a later date if they would undergo additional certifications, including proof-of-performance tests. These tests would be public and public comment could be made on them.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has vehemently opposed the sole use of spectrum sensing technology, and with good reason. The technology has failed testing. But the association has also been filing petitions and drumming up support for public comment on the FCC's recent technical report on white space testing.

"Fortunately, today's vote is just the beginning of a fight on behalf of the 110 million households that rely on television for news, entertainment, and lifesaving emergency information," said NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton in a statement. "Going forward, NAB and our allies will work with policymakers to ensure that consumers can access innovative broadband applications without jeopardizing interference-free TV."

The FCC said all white-space devices would be required to obtain individual FCC approval, and could be shut off if they interfere or are found to have manufacturing flaws. Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate dissented in part on the measure, and expressed concern that the process for dealing with potential interference issues was too vague.

For more:
- read FierceWireless

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Lawmakers jump into fray over white-space
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FCC set to vote on white-space issue Nov. 4

NAB calls for comment period on FCC white-space report

Lynnette Luna — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:54:03 -0400

Following the FCC's engineering report released last week that said certain unlicensed white-space devices don't pose an interference threat to broadcasters, the National Association of Broadcasters said it filed an emergency request with the commission urging the agency to follow its own standard practice and seek comment on the technical report. The NAB is been a big opponent of white-space devices, saying they pose a grave interference threat.

"... (I)t has been the Commission's practice to adopt rules based on complex data only after allowing the public an opportunity to comment on that data," the broadcasters stated. "Failure to provide adequate opportunity for public comment on information so central to the outcome of this proceeding raises serious questions about compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act."

Not only did the FCC release the report, but Chairman Kevin Martin voiced support for white-space devices. The commission is set to vote on whether to proceed with a rulemaking process on the issue Nov. 4. The report said white-space devices with geolocation and sensing technologies could be used with some conditions without interference to existing surrounding users such as television broadcasters and wireless microphones, but nixed the idea of devices that rely solely on spectrum sensing.

For more:
- read this release

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

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