New Wi-Fi device promotes opening TV ‘white space’

A group of high-tech and electronic companies is set to deliver to the Federal Communications Commission a Wi-Fi device it says can operate in vacant broadcast frequencies without disrupting high-definition TV reception. The device is not intended for commercial sale; instead, it stands as an effort to prove to the FCC that such devices won’t interfere with high-definition TV broadcasts.
The group is urging the FCC to conduct its own tests using the device, which operates in the 700 MHz band.
“We welcome innovation that helps put people in touch with information and expands user choice. Clearly, open access to unused TV spectrum will promote competition, spark a new wave of innovation, and holds the potential to provide broadband access to underserved communities,” said Adam Kovacevich, a spokesman for Google Inc.
Unused broadcast spectrum, also known as TV white space, is the subject of significant attention (and controversy) at the FCC, in Congress and in the wireless industry.
Joining Google in the development of the device are Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co, Intel Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Philips North America.
“The sale of HDTVs is an important business to Dell, and it would not support the use of the white spaces if there were any realistic chance it would cause interference to broadcast TV,” the coalition said in a meeting earlier this month with FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein.
The FCC is trying to decide whether TV white space should be made available on an unlicensed basis, through traditional exclusive licensing, or by some combination of the two approaches.
Meantime, Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), is championing a bill to protect other wireless gadgets currently operating in broadcast spectrum-such as wireless microphones-from new devices, like Wi-Fi products, that could soon be introduced into unassigned TV frequencies.