FCC frees up white-spaces spectrum, addresses next generation of E-911

The Federal Communications Commission opened up TV white spaces spectrum for unlicensed use, clearing the way for “super Wi-Fi” applications, but set aside two channels nationwide for wireless microphones.
The agency also directed the Office of Engineering and Technology to develop a database that will include information on wireless microphone venues. The agency has given experimental licenses to several cities and seen how the spectrum could be used for telemedicine, connecting larger school campuses, machine-to-machine communications and smart cities applications, said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. However, beyond super Wi-Fi, the most innovative services could be on the horizon, he noted. The last time the FCC released a decent chunk of unlicensed spectrum was in 1985.
Unleashing the white-spaces spectrum will enable a wide swath of new services, in the United States and throughout the world, said SpectrumBridge Inc. CFO Chris Duffus. Spectrum Bridge has been trialing services using the white-spaces spectrum in a number of applications under an experimental license from the FCC. The company has technology it hopes to sell to original equipment manufacturers at the chip, device and access point level.
The FCC did not include a requirement that a geolocation sensor be included in devices that use white-spaces spectrum because there is no cost-effective way to produce the technology, Duffus said.
However, Shared Spectrum Co. said it is testing software code for specialized television band device detectors that meet the FCC’s sensing requirements. “The modules work together with a geolocation database or on a stand-alone basis to maximize both incumbent protection and available TVBD bandwidth. SSC plans to begin field testing these detectors by the end of October and have them ready for OEM customers by the first quarter of 201,” said CEO Tom Stroup.
A future iteration of the Wi-FI standard will address white-spaces spectrum, which will increase the potential addressable market for the technology, Duffus noted.
In other news, the FCC also updated its rules on the E-rate program, which provides funding for broadband connectivity at schools and libraries. The order allows schools to lease dark fiber and allows schools to access broadband services beyond traditional school hours. Genachowski talked about a pilot program sponsored by Qualcomm Inc. that demonstrated how wireless technology could aid students in learning. Students using smart phones to help with their studies fared better than students who didn’t have access to digital devices.
The agency also addressed wireless 911 accuracy requirements. The FCC approved a timeline and benchmarks to make sure that wireless operators give more accurate information at the county or PSAP (public safety administration point) level. The report applies to both handset- and network-based E-911 environments. Further, the FCC started a Notice of Inquiry on how Voice over Internet Protocol services can also provide accurate location information to public-safety personnel. The FCC is also asking how to address E-911 calls placed from callers who are indoors. Genachowski said that landline-based 911 calls are accurate 98% of the time, compared to wireless calls, which are accurate only about 50% of the time.