[SBE] FCC moves forward on approving white spacew devices

[A9xw at cs.com]

FCC chairman announces green light for unlicensed white spaces use

Oct 24, 2008 2:15 PM 
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 FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has announced the agency’s plan to approve the use 
of fixed-location white space devices.



On Oct. 15, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin proposed opening up unused portions of 
the TV airwaves known as white spaces for unlicensed devices to deliver 
wireless broadband service. The proposal, made in the wake of field tests, is a 
victory for the Wireless Innovation Alliance, a group of technology companies 
including Google, Phillips and Microsoft that have been pressing for unfettered 
access to the spectrum space being vacated after the switch to digital 
television Feb. 17. 

The new frequency usage rules are expected to be issued on Election Day, Nov. 
4, with an Oct. 27 deadline for interested parties to submit formal comments 
to the FCC. This is an unusually short comment period, especially considering 
the protracted time this issue has been under consideration. On Oct. 17, the 
NAB filed an emergency request that the agency seek a 70-day period for public 
comments, stating, “The report’s conclusions are not supported and in fact 
contradicted by the underlying data.” The filing also noted, “The FCC seems 
satisfied that white space devices will not significantly interfere with 
broadcast or cable TV signals in the home, a finding seemingly not well documented in 
its published test reports. At issue is the report’s contention that ‘proof 
of concept’ for the safe use of WSDs has been adequately proven in testing.”



While promising to consider the NAB request, the FCC seems satisfied that 
properly designed white space devices will not pose a significant interference 
threat. The FCC summary report states: “We are satisfied that spectrum sensing 
in combination with geolocation and database access techniques can be used to 
authorize equipment today under appropriate technical standards and that issues 
regarding future development and approval of any additional devices, 
including devices relying on sensing alone, can be addressed.” That summary specifies 
only white space devices operating from a fixed location being allowed into 
the spectrum with the transition to digital television. Portable white space 
devices and products that rely on spectrum sensing only remain under 
consideration, though it seems clear that the agency expects to approve them at a later 
date. 



Google welcomed Commissioner Martin’s comments on the proposed ruling on the 
company's public policy blog. "This news should be greatly encouraging for 
American consumers," it said. "The FCC now has more than enough information to 
develop appropriate rules that protect TV stations and wireless microphone users 
from harmful interference while at the same time allowing innovators and 
entrepreneurs to develop technology that productively uses these airwaves."



Wireless microphone manufacturer Shure joined with the NAB in filing a 
request for a longer comment period (see <A HREF="http://broadcastengineering.com/newsrooms/shure-white-space-filing-public-comment-1024/">Shure white space filing echoes 
broadcasters' call for public comment</A>). Shure is a long-time proponent of using science 
to determine the best course for white space devices, and broadcasters, while 
still accommodating RF microphones as incumbent spectrum users, were not 
prepared to comment formally, because the reports issued to date do not specifically 
mention the fate of its products. “We are continuing to discuss matters with 
the commission, learning all we can about the planned ruling. Our goal is to 
make sure that wireless microphone users are adequately protected, now and 
after Feb. 17,” said Christopher Lyons, Shure’s manager of technical and 
educational communications. 



There does appear to be a disparity between the positive test outcome noted 
in the FCC summary and actual test date found in the full Office of Engineering 
and Testing report on white space device field testing. The executive 
summary’s statement that the “proof of concept” had been met was particularly 
interesting insofar as it is the first time the FCC has used this language in 
referring to the purpose of white space device testing. 



In addition, it appears that much of the unfavorable test data found in the 
field test summary report by the OET was downplayed or ignored. For instance, 
false-positive results from a Phillips prototype are credited as accurate 
scans, dramatically inflating the rated accuracy of that device. Even less 
favorable data from RF microphone testing is not published in full, but only 
summarized. Still, the report notes that, during testing at FedEx Field, one device 
found all channels occupied whether ESPN’s wireless mics were on or not, and 
another prototype “indicated several channels as available even when the 
microphones were on.” 



As a result, it seems clear that the FCC’s pending white space device 
spectrum use rulemaking will be controversial as the agency attempts to balance the 
desire for expanded economic development in the technology sector and provide 
broadband wireless access to rural areas with the acknowledged need to ensure 
continued viability of broadcast TV, cable TV and wireless microphone systems.



For more information, visit <A HREF="http://www.fcc.gov/">www.fcc.gov</A>. 


    


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