Tech firms jubilant over white-spaces vote

The Federal Communications Commission uncorked a plethora of prime spectrum in TV white spaces for unlicensed wireless devices and services – a big victory for tech companies that could also lay the foundation for WiMAX deployment in rural America.
The cellphone industry failed in a somewhat understated lobbying effort to convince federal regulators to apply a licensing approach to TV white spaces.
“Opening the white spaces will allow for the creation of a Wi-Fi on steroids,” said FCC Chairman Kevin. “It has the potential to improve wireless broadband connectivity and inspire an ever-widening array of new Internet-based products and services for consumers. . I fully expect that everything from enhanced home broadband networks, to intelligent peer-to-peer devices, and even small communications networks will come into being in TV white spaces.”
The decision to tap into vacant TV channels capped a religious war pitting broadcasters and wireless microphone users – fearful of harmful interference from low-power wireless gadgets – against telecom and high-tech companies anxious to capitalize on the infusion of new spectrum in the marketplace.
The FCC decision will permit unlicensed devices embedded with spectrum-sensing, geolocation and database-access capabilities in TV white spaces. The database will include information on TV stations, cable TV facilities and wireless microphone venues so as to avoid degradation to their services. Spectrum-sensing-only devices will be subject to tougher regulatory and technical scrutiny before they can be marketed commercially.
Telecom and high-tech companies as well as public-interest groups applauded the FCC ruling, while broadcasters blasted the agency.
“Today’s [Nov. 4] vote ushers in a new era of wireless broadband innovation,” said Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer at Microsoft Corp. “Like other unlicensed facilities, which enabled popular technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, white spaces will make possible new and creative solutions to a range of broadband connectivity challenges.”
Groups advocating expanded broadband access and open access on fat, high-speed Internet pipes believe the public is the big winner.
“The Federal Communications Commission today took a major step to foster innovation and create new opportunities for consumers,” stated the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition. “By allowing the white spaces between TV channels to be used for unlicensed services, the FCC put the public interest ahead of the special interests.”
Broadcasting and wireless microphone sectors did not hide their disappointment with the FCC’s white-spaces decision.
“While we appreciate the FCC’s attempt to address significant issues raised by broadcasters and others, every American who values interference-free TV should be concerned by today’s commission vote,” stated the National Association of Broadcasters. “By moving the white-space vote forward, the commission appears to have bypassed meaningful public or peer review in a proceeding of grave importance to the future of television.”
Meantime, the FCC launched an inquiry on whether high-power unlicensed operations should be permitted in rural areas.
“This is an historic vote for our national economy, for consumer choice and more competitive broadband markets. Most of all, it is a victory for those areas of rural America and underserved urban neighborhoods which have too long been denied the benefits of affordable high-speed Internet access,” said Wally Bowden, founder and executive director of the Mountain Area Information Network in Ashville, N.C.