FCC begins new round of white-spaces testing

The Federal Communications Commission said the next round of laboratory testing of prototype TV white-spaces devices will begin Jan. 24, a public process lasting four to six weeks that will be followed by a month or more of field testing at different locations.
Microsoft Corp., Google Inc., Motorola Inc., Hewlett Packard Co., Intel Corp. and other high tech firms have aggressively lobbied policymakers to make vacant television channels available for Wi-Fi and other unlicensed wireless applications. But they have met stiff opposition from the powerful broadcasting lobby, which argues such use of white spaces will cause interference to digital TV signals.
“There is no doubt that this unused spectrum can be put to better use for consumers without interfering with TV signals. This testing process will allow the FCC’s engineers to develop policies in this area without undue political interference,” said Rhett Dawson, head Information Technology Industry Coalition, a member of larger group called the Wireless Innovation Alliance. “We encourage the FCC to move forward in an expedient fashion so that consumers can benefit from these exciting innovations as quickly as possible.”
Broadcasters have pointed to the results of previous testing that indicated a Microsoft prototype caused interference, a result tech lobbyists attributed to a defective device.
“NAB’s paramount objective remains the delivery of interference-free digital broadcast television to more than 100 million American households,” said National Association of Broadcasters Executive VP Dennis Wharton. “We are not opposed to new technology; however, given the failing grade performance and incomplete implementation of the devices submitted in the first round of tests, we have a high degree of skepticism whether tests of these devices will demonstrate that a practical service using portable devices can be introduced without jeopardizing DTV service.”
The FCC said upcoming white-spaces testing will evaluate gear submitted by Adaptrum Communications Inc, Microsoft, Motorola and Philips Electronics.
Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA Inc., the nation’s third and fourth largest mobile-phone operators, respectively, recently entered the debate to voice support for a fixed licensing scheme that would offer a less costly option for wireless backhaul services.