[RTC List] FCC Spectrum policy vote today

[Sean McLaughlin]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
November 4, 2008 Robert Kenny: (202) 418-2668
Matthew Nodine: (202) 418-1646

FCC ADOPTS RULES FOR UNLICENSED USE OF TELEVISION WHITE SPACES

In its continuing efforts to promote efficient use of spectrum and to 
extend the benefits of such use to the public, the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) today adopted a Second Report and Order 
(Second R&O) that establishes rules to allow new, sophisticated wireless 
devices to operate in broadcast television spectrum on a secondary basis 
at locations where that spectrum is open. (This unused TV spectrum is 
now commonly referred to as television “white spaces”). The rules 
adopted today will allow for the use of these new and innovative types 
of unlicensed devices in the unused spectrum to provide broadband data 
and other services for consumers and businesses.

The rules represent a careful first step to permit the operation of 
unlicensed devices in the TV white spaces and include numerous 
safeguards to protect incumbent services against harmful interference. 
The rules will allow for both fixed and personal/portable unlicensed 
devices. Such devices must include a geolocation capability and 
provisions to access over the Internet a data base of the incumbent 
services, such as full power and low power TV stations and cable system 
headends, in addition to spectrum-sensing technology. The data base will 
tell the white space device what spectrum may be used at that location.

Wireless microphones will be protected in a variety of ways. The 
locations where wireless microphones are used, such as sporting venues 
and event and production facilities, can be registered in the data base 
and will be protected in the same way as other services. The Commission 
also has required that devices include the ability to listen to the 
airwaves to sense wireless microphones as an additional measure of 
protection for these devices.

All white space devices are subject to equipment certification by the 
FCC Laboratory. The Laboratory will request samples of the devices for 
testing to ensure that they meet all the pertinent requirements.

The Commission also will permit certification of devices that do not 
include the geolocation and data base access capabilities, and instead 
rely solely on spectrum sensing to avoid causing harmful interference, 
subject to a much more rigorous approval process.


In a process that will be open to the public, applications will be 
released for public comment prior to agency action. Such devices will be 
tested by our Laboratory to a “Proof of Performance” standard both in 
the lab and in a variety of real-world environments to ensure they do 
not cause interference to licensed services when in use. The staff 
report and recommendation will also be released for public comment. For 
now, certification of any such device will require approval by the full 
Commission.

Manufacturers may continue to provide additional information to the 
Commission to support the use of higher power devices in adjacent 
channels. In addition, the Commission will explore in a separate Notice 
of Inquiry whether higher-powered unlicensed operations might be 
permitted in TV white spaces in rural areas.

The Commission will closely oversee and monitor the introduction of TV 
white space devices. The Commission will act promptly to remove from the 
market any equipment found to be causing harmful interference and will 
require the responsible parties to take appropriate actions to remedy 
any interference that may occur.

Action by the Commission November 4, 2008, by Second Report and Order 
(FCC 08-260). Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, and 
McDowell with Commissioner Tate approving and dissenting in part. 
Separate statements issued by Chairman Martin, Commissioners Copps, 
Adelstein, Tate and McDowell.

For additional information, contact Alan Stillwell at (202) 418-2470 or 
alan.stillwell at fcc.gov.

FCC


News and other information about the FCC is available at www.fcc.gov
___________________

Sean McLaughlin
Executive Director
Access Humboldt
P.O. Box 157, Eureka, CA 95502
tel: 707-476-1798
dir: 707-476-2873
fax: 707-476-1702
cel: 707-616-2381
e: sean at accesshumboldt.net
web:  accesshumboldt.net

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