WASHINGTON—After sitting on the issue for almost two years, the Federal Communications Commission voted to allow Qualcomm Inc. to operate its MediaFLO mobile TV offering in markets where TV broadcasters are currently using the 700 MHz spectrum Qualcomm plans to use for the service.
“Qualcomm and MediaFLO USA are very pleased with the FCC ruling,” said Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm’s chief executive officer. “We’d like to express our appreciation to Chairman Martin, the other commissioners and the FCC staff for their commitment to the industry and their vision in enabling the development and delivery of new technology and services for consumers.”
Qualcomm filed its petition on the issue in January, 2005.
In its vote, the FCC agreed to allow Qualcomm to offer mobile TV services in markets where TV broadcasters are currently operating, as long as Qualcomm follows established engineering guidelines for minimizing interference. Under the ruling, Qualcomm cannot cause more than 0.5 percent of interference the first year, but over the next several years that threshold will gradually increase to 1.5 percent. Qualcomm had initially asked for a 2 percent threshold.
Republicans and Democrats on the FCC said the rules were a compromise that protects incumbent TV while allowing mobile TV to go forward.
“I want to take all appropriate steps to enable the petitioner in the above-captioned item to provide its innovate subscription-based mobile video service in advance of the DTV transition. At the same time, we must ensure that this new service does not materially interfere with the ability of broadcasters to provide free, over-the-air programming to their customers (including Spanish-language programming in at least one large market). Though I would have preferred stronger protections for broadcasters currently operating in the 700 MHz band, I believe today’s decision represents a reasonable compromise that reflects the unique importance of free, over-the-air broadcasting in American life,” said democratic FCC Commissioner Michael Copps.
Qualcomm purchased TV channel 55 in the upper 700 MHz band to offer mobile TV services using its MediaFLO transmission technology. However, TV broadcasters are not required to vacate the spectrum until 2009, a stipulation that is part of Congress’ legislation on the nation’s digital TV transition. Now, thanks to the FCC’s ruling, Qualcomm can offer mobile TV services in its 700 MHz spectrum earlier than 2009.
The commission has yet to act on a similar petition from Crown Castle International Corp. which hopes to offer mobile TV using the DVB-H transmission standard.
“Crown Castle appreciates the commitment made by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and his colleagues to quickly resolve Crown Castle’s pending power limit request,” said Ari Fitzgerald, Crown Castle’s outside counsel.
