PISCATAWAY, N.J.-The Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers said it has set up a working group for a standard to tap open channels in the television spectrum for wireless broadband applications and services.
Known as 802.22, or wireless regional area networks, the new standard will not interfere with existing licensed TV bands but its coverage will reach 40 kilometers and more from a base station, according to the IEEE.
“This is ideal spectrum for deploying regional networks to provide broadband service in sparsely populated areas, where vacant channels are available,” said Carl R. Stevenson, interim chair of the IEEE P802.22 Working Group. “Our goal is to equal or exceed the quality of DSL or cable modem services, and to be able to provide that service in the areas where wireline service is economically infeasible, due to the distance between potential users.”
The Federal Communications Commission is in sync with this standard and has issued proposed rules to open the 54-698 MHz portion of the TV spectrum for unlicensed use. “IEEE 802.22 will enable compliance to these rules once they are finalized,” said IEEE.
The standard will increase the capacity of 802.11 in outlying areas and complement 802.16, according to Stevenson, adding that the concept will benefit developed and developing countries with little wireline infrastructure.
The working group encompasses participants from the TV broadcast and public-safety community, as well as wireless mainstays like chip vendors, wireless equipment suppliers and players from countries having large and relatively sparse populated areas, according to IEEE.
