FCC Promises Quick End to Fight Over TV White Spaces
A second round of tests of devices designed to operate in the TV white spaces starts Thursday, with bench tests at the FCC lab in Columbia, Md., the agency said. That four to six week phase will be open to observers. Next will come four to six weeks of Office of Engineering and Technology field tests. A final report is due within 18 weeks. The move was expected (CD Jan 18 p10). The new tests are good news, advocates of opening the white spaces as unlicensed spectrum to be used by mobile devices to access the Internet said Friday.
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Some commissioners wanted to speed testing, as reflected in a public notice, sources said. “Any updates or changes to the testing schedule for the prototype white space devices will be publicly disseminated and available on OET’s website,” the unit said.
The Office acceded to interested parties’ suggestions as much as it could, it said. “The laboratory tests will measure the performance capabilities of the prototype devices under controlled conditions,” it said. “The field tests will be conducted at a variety of locations to provide information on the performance of the devices under real world conditions.” A 2007 round of tests was inconclusive, the FCC decided. The commission originally was expected to consider a white spaces order in October.
“There is no doubt that this unused spectrum can be put to better use for consumers without interfering with TV signals,” said Rhett Dawson, CEO of the Information Technology Industry Council. “This testing process will allow the FCC’s engineers to develop policies in this area without undue political interference.” Michael Calabrese, vice president of the New America Foundation, said “the prototypes set to undergo testing hold the potential to spur innovation and create new applications for consumers, including greater broadband connectivity, community mesh networks and a host of new wireless devices.”
The NAB counts about 70 lawmakers worried about using unlicensed portable devices in the white space. “We are not opposed to new technology,” the trade group said. “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.”
David Donovan, president of Maximum Service Television, said that the units being tested are only “concept” devices, likely to differ from what’s sold, and called for thorough testing. “If the rules are flawed due to inadequate testing, or because the devices that are tested differ from those sold to consumers, then a certification program based on flawed testing will not protect consumers,” he said. “Thus, the FCC has to be 100% correct the first time. Given the inability to enforce interference rules with unlicensed devices, there will be no second chances.”