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Another white spaces bill is being rolled out in the Senate, this one with a shorter implementation timeframe than the first, reports TV Technology.
The White Spaces Act of 2007 from Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.) would allow unlicensed devices into unused broadcast channels within 90 days of enactment or Oct. 1 of this year, whichever comes first.
“My bill differs from others in this area, first, by imposing a shorter timeline to complete FCC rulemaking”, explained Sununu. “The sooner consumers have access to this spectrum the better. Second, I retain the option that licensing may be the best way to allocate some white space spectrum. This ensures the maximum flexibility for dealing with future applications or commercial ventures. Finally, the bill would prohibit the FCC from imposing its marketing ban on white space technologies.”
Last week, Sen. John Kerry and Gordon Smith (R-OR), re-introduced their Wireless Innovation Act. The resurrected WIN Act would require the FCC to permit license-free use of the unassigned broadcast spectrum between 54MHz and 698MHz within 180 days of enactment.
Kerry’s contention is that it will be used to deploy wireless broadband in rural areas. Sununu supports the cause in the name of product innovation.
“Broadcast spectrum that is otherwise unused represents a new frontier for product development,” he said in a statement. “By removing barriers that prohibit access to white spaces, there is enormous potential for entrepreneurs to bring products to market that are now beyond imagination.”
Under the FCC timeline devices designed for white space use could not be sold until after the analog deadline of Feb. 17, 2009. Sununu’s bill would override the FCC timeline and speed things up.
In March, the FCC lab plans to issue a report on the interference capabilities of DTV receivers, then a report evaluating the interference potential of proposed devices will be published in July. By October, the FCC intends to issue an order on the final technical requirements for white space devices, and in December the lab will accept certification applications.
Jon M. Peha, Director of the Center for Wireless and Broadband Networking at Carnegie Mellon, thinks 700 MHz is vital for the United States (pdf), but mis-managed:
It is also time to reevaluate the IWN program. There is no reason to invest billions of taxpayer dollars in a network that serves only federal first responders, when the vast majority of first responders work for state and local agencies. One possibility is to greatly expand this program such that the IWN supports all first responders, presumably in federal spectrum instead of the 700 MHz band. If this vast change in scope is not practical, then the IWN should be shelved, so that the funding intended for IWN can be spent on a more complete solution to the problems of communications for public safety and homeland security.
“White spaces” are hot. That’s because DTV allows television broadcasters to use adjacent channels without interference. DTV effectively filters out adjacent channel noise, allowing broadcast channels to be packed close together. It also enables low power WiFi-like devices to be used in the blank television channels (the “white spaces”). Freeing up spectrum (for non-television use) in the 700 MHz band for licensed public safety and commercial broadband wireless is another benefit.
Carl Stevenson, chairman of 802.22 says, “Using higher frequencies would require six to eight times as many base stations for equivalent coverage. Nominal base station coverage radius would be 30 to 40 kilometers” [18-25 miles].
