[opendtv] FCC could present white spaces solution this month

From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:06:46 -0500
I'm curious to see what all the discussions have been about. The issues don't 
seem to be so difficult to grasp. If only I could believe this FCC to be 
objective and impartial, and only consider the facts.

Bert

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http://www.rethink-wireless.com/2010/09/01/fcc-present-white-spaces-solution-month.htm

FCC could present white spaces solution this month
Series of high level meetings could lead to a breakthrough at last
By CAROLINE GABRIEL

Published: 1 September, 2010

The week of the US election in 2008 saw the FCC paving the way for internet 
devices to use the 'white spaces' in the TV spectrum, but progress to 
commercial products and services has been slow and beset by disputes with 
broadcasters and other incumbents. Now, the FCC is close to finalizing the 
rules for the license exempt use of white space spectrum, in a way that would 
expand broadband options but avoid interference for TV or wireless microphones.

According to The Wall Street Journal, top FCC advisers have held a series of 
meetings with interested parties through the summer, to discuss how to free up 
the airwaves for wireless services. Although the unused spectrum scattered 
around the TV band is considered attractive because of its low frequencies, 
which support long range and indoor penetration, opposition has been fierce - 
not just from companies already using the bands, but from mobile operators, 
concerned about new competition.

Supporters like Google, Microsoft, Motorola and Dell, however, see this as the 
'new Wi-Fi', capable of extending affordable wireless services, plus new 
service providers and business models. They have been seeking to demonstrate 
that interference can be avoided with a combination of cognitive radios within 
devices, and databases that catalog existing users.

The ongoing FCC talks could address the technical issues about interference and 
present solutions as early as this month, at the regulator's September meeting. 
This could then pave the way for commercial products to be developed. The 
discussions have involved some heavyweight players - during a recent trip to 
Austin, Texas, FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker discussed the issue with 
Dell CEO Michael Dell, said the WSJ, while FCC chairman Julius Genachowski 
visited Microsoft headquarters and examined products that use white space 
spectrum.

Opening up the white spaces is part of the FCC's National Broadband Report 
presented to Congress earlier this year, in which the agency pledged to free up 
500MHz of new spectrum within 10 years, 60% of it by 2015. A few tests in white 
spaces have already been held, notably in Wilmington, North Carolina.
 
 
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[opendtv] FCC could present white spaces solution this month

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