[IP] FCC votes to let low-power devices use empty TV channels after digital switchover
Begin forwarded message:
From: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 13, 2006 11:38:28 AM EDT
To: Dewayne-Net Technology List <dewayne-net@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Dewayne-Net] FCC votes to let low-power devices use empty
TV channels after digital switchover
Reply-To: dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[Note: This item comes from friend John Wilson in the UK. DLH]
From: "john wilson" <johnresearch@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: October 13, 2006 5:00:13 AM PDT
To: dewayne@xxxxxxxxxx, dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: FCC votes to let low-power devices use empty TV channels
after digital switchov
Dewayne
fyi re fcc and unlicensed spectrum re digital broadcasting etc- big
news! comments?
<http://www.openspectrum.info/news-oct06-014.html>
FCC votes to let low-power devices use empty TV channels after
digital switchover
From "FCC lets wireless sneak between TV airwaves," Reuters (via
News.com], 12 October:
"The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to
permit certain wireless devices to use vacant airwaves between active
television channels as long as they do not cause interference.
"Companies such as computer chipmaker Intel have pushed the FCC to
make those airwaves available for use without a license for services
like high-speed wireless Internet. But broadcasters have worried
about possible signal disruptions.
" 'Allowing low-power wireless devices to operate in the unused
portions of the television bands could be an efficient and effective
use of this unused spectrum,' FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said at the
agency's monthly open meeting.
"The FCC agreed to permit the use of fixed, low-powered, wireless
equipment on some unused channel frequencies and said it would
conduct testing to assess interference and encouraged others to
submit their findings.
"The FCC said it expected to have the laboratory test results on
interference by July and would set final technical requirements for
the devices by October 2007.
"The National Association of Broadcasters said it looked forward to
working with the agency.
"Marketing of the devices would only be allowed when television
broadcasters switch to airing their digital signals and return their
old analog airwaves to the government in February 2009, the FCC said.
" 'I think it strikes the right balance by promoting the development
of new technologies while ensuring that over-the-air television is
not subject to harmful interference,' said FCC Commissioner Jonathan
Adelstein.
"Signals from the airwaves at issue -- frequencies below 900
megahertz -- can easily penetrate walls, trees and other
obstructions, unlike the higher frequencies.
"Intel attorney Marjorie Dickman said the company welcomed the FCC's
decision because it wanted additional airwaves available for other
uses than television service. Intel 'commends Chairman Martin for
moving forward with the proceeding and looks forward to continuing to
work with the FCC to make additional airwaves available for fixed-
wireless, high-speed, Internet services in rural areas and for
personal, home and office networking purposes,' she said...
__________
Official FCC news release, 12 October 2006: "FCC Takes Steps to Allow
New Low Power Devices on Vacant TV Channels"
"Separate Statement of Commissioner Michael J. Copps": "...Then there
is the question of whether the white spaces should be used on a
licensed or unlicensed basis. The Commission's assumption has always
been unlicensed - indeed, the caption of our 2004 NPRM (and today's
item) is Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands. I have long
supported freeing up additional unlicensed spectrum. In many contexts
- as with the enormously successful bands that support today's Wi-Fi
networks - unlicensed uses most closely approach the ideal of the
people's airwaves, to be used in direct service of the public
interest. With our recent AWS auction and the upcoming 700 Mhz
auction, we are opening up a huge swath of prime spectrum to licensed
use - and it seems to me, on the present record, that the appropriate
balance is to open up the TV white spaces to unlicensed use..."
"Statement of Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein": "...Wherever I
travel, I hear the calls for more unlicensed spectrum from operators
who need more capacity to drive broadband deployment deeper and
farther into all corners of the country. In this item, we are rightly
exploring the latest and most exciting cognitive radio and spectrum
sensing technologies that are available to see how they can enable
spectrum facilitation in the television bands. Of course,
broadcasters have used the public spectrum for many years to serve
rural and urban areas alike in providing news, civic information,
education and entertainment. I fully support our request for comment
on how best to ensure that harmful interference is not caused by the
operation of unlicensed devices. The American people care a lot about
the quality of their television reception. We will hear an earful
from consumers if this is not done right. I am particularly pleased
with our decision today to allow channels 14-20 and 2-4 to remain 'on
the table' for further testing to determine their suitability for
possible unlicensed services in the future... Finally, while the item
does provide a balanced view of the benefits and challenges of
unlicensed versus licensed operations in the white spaces bands, I
want to specifically express my preference for use of this spectrum
on an unlicensed basis. Unlicensed services, with their low barriers
to entry, present such a great opportunity for the deployment of
broadband offerings in communities across the country no matter their
size or financial status. Considering the favorable propagation
characteristics for wireless broadband services in the 700 MHz band
and the important obligation to protect existing television
operations from harmful interference, I believe that unlicensed
operations present the best use of the spectrum for this country."
"Statement of Commissioner Robert M. McDowell": "I am excited about
this item because it starts a chain of events that will lead to an
explosion of entrepreneurial brilliance. I am also delighted that it
provides tremendous opportunities for further unlicensed use of these
slices of the spectrum..."
-------------------------------------
You are subscribed as roessler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
To manage your subscription, go to
http://v2.listbox.com/member/?listname=ip
Archives at: http://www.interesting-people.org/archives/interesting-people/