[opendtv] Commerce Committee Chairman Stevens Introduces American Broadband for Communities Act
- From: Mark Aitken <maitken@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: OpenDTV <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 28 Feb 2006 14:53:48 -0500
There is a true firestorm brewing, and it may well represent a further
crippling of OTA capability. Allowing unlicensed services to reside in
Broadcast Spectrum is a disaster unless there is a requirement for OTA
receivers to meet certain (and defined) operating capabilities. While
most will blame multipath as the most crippling of reception
capabilities, I maintain that the other variables are just as capable of
making reception impossible (front-end overload, adjacent channels, poor
discrimination, bad/cheap AGC, Blah-Blah-Blah...the list goes on...)
So, without even knowing how present and future receivers perform, are
designed, etc..., we will now just throw a bunch of unlicensed devices
into the mix!
Disaster in the making... The boat was launched without the necessary
seaworthiness passengers expected, the mechanics have been working on
endless modifications since the launch, and another storm is brewing. A
tsunami in the making? Maybe the perfect storm?
***************************
Commerce Committee Chairman Stevens Introduces American Broadband for
Communities Act
February 17, 2006 -
For Immediate Release
February 17, 2006
Contacts: Aaron Saunders w/Stevens (202) 224-3991
Melanie Alvord w/Stevens (202) 224-8456
* Commerce Committee Chairman Stevens Introduces
American Broadband for Communities Act*
WASHINGTON DC - Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens
(R-Alaska) today introduced the American Broadband for Communities Act
of 2006. The Act frees up spectrum not being used by broadcasters for
unlicensed wireless devices which would provide communities with
wireless broadband and home networking services.
Broadcasters are allocated hundreds of megahertz (MHz) of spectrum to
provide television service across the country. But in any one market
some of the spectrum goes unused. Some studies have indicated that there
is more than 150 MHz of spectrum in Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu,
Hawaii, that could be used by unlicensed devices for wireless services.
Even in large cities like Boston and Chicago it is estimated that nearly
50 MHz of spectrum goes unused.
The bill would allow manufacturers to design unlicensed devices to be
operated in the broadcast spectrum not being used by broadcasters. These
unlicensed devices would make it easier for companies to offer broadband
services to consumers. The devices would be designed to sense their
environment and identify what spectrum is in use and would only use
portions of the broadcast spectrum not being used by broadcasters.
"Allowing unlicensed operations in the broadcast band could play a
significant role in bringing wireless broadband and home networking to
more of our citizens by lowering costs, particularly in Alaska where
connectivity is so important due to our remoteness," said Stevens.
The American Broadband for Communities Act also directs the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) craft technical requirements for
unlicensed devices in the broadcast band that would protect broadcast
stations, a proceeding it has already initiated. In addition, the
legislation urges the FCC to further establish an interference complaint
resolution process for broadcasters.
"I believe that the requirements in the bill will give the broadcasters
additional protection while allowing more efficient use of the valuable
broadcast spectrum, which is an invaluable public resource," said Stevens.
###
http://stevens.senate.gov/pr_detailed.cfm?prid=333
--
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Regards,
Mark A. Aitken
Director, Advanced Technology
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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