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North Carolina launches FCC-approved TV White Space network in Wilmington

Amar Toor — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:14:00 EST

Back in December, the FCC approved the first white space device and database for the lucky city of Wilmington, North Carolina. Last week, the program bore its first fruits, when database operator Spectrum Bridge finally launched its TV White Space (TVWS) network in Carolina, as part of Wilmington's ongoing "Smart City" initiative. With the TVWS network up and running, Wilmingtonians will have internet access in public parks, while authorities will be able to use part of Spectrum Bridge's broadband for video surveillance. Public security, in fact, is among the primary functions of the new network, which will be expanded to help manage traffic congestion and to help the city function more efficiently. Beam past the break for more, in the full press release.

Continue reading North Carolina launches FCC-approved TV White Space network in Wilmington

North Carolina launches FCC-approved TV White Space network in Wilmington originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC approves first white space device and database for Wilmington, NC

Terrence O'Brien — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:18:00 EST

The FCC has approved the first device to use the much buzzed about "white spaces" between television broadcast frequencies to transmit data. The recipient of the honor is a receiver from Koos Technical Services that's designed to be a last-mile connection for surveillance cameras and telemetry systems. The radio will tap into database run by Spectrum Bridge to ensure it doesn't interfere with other broadcasts. Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a statement that, "we are taking an important step towards enabling a new wave of wireless innovation. Unleashing white spaces spectrum has the potential to exceed even the many billions of dollars in economic benefit from Wi-Fi, the last significant release of unlicensed spectrum, and drive private investment and job creation." For now, only the city of Wilmington, NC will be able to benefit from the approval, as the FCC continues to iron out the details that will prevent these devices from interfering with wireless microphones. Check out the press release after the break for more info.

Continue reading FCC approves first white space device and database for Wilmington, NC

FCC approves first white space device and database for Wilmington, NC originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ofcom releases 2012/13 plan: no UK 4G until you've eaten your vegetables

Daniel Cooper — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:08:00 EST

UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has released its draft plans for 2012/13 with big changes ahead for nerds on this side of the Atlantic. The auctioning off of the 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrums for 4G internet is coming as soon as the British FCC has booted off the remaining TV services that still use 'em. It's gonna open an online complaints site (for when the Saturday evening show of your choice offends you), crack down on slow broadband speeds and keep the airways clear for the Olympic Games. Nearly 16 percent of Scotland and five percent of Wales has non-existent mobile coverage, something Ofcom's pledging to fix. TV-on-demand content also better keep its nose clean over the next 18 months -- it'll be getting the same level of government scrutiny that standard broadcasts receive. Rather wisely, the paper buries the real bad news: it looks like there won't be nationwide 4G mobile internet until 2015 -- so you win this round, America.

Ofcom releases 2012/13 plan: no UK 4G until you've eaten your vegetables originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC to test white space database at its own pace

Amar Toor — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:36:00 EST

See that faint silhouette lurking on the horizon? That'd be a wave of white space internet, and it's inching ever closer to the US. On Wednesday, the FCC confirmed that it will begin testing a new database that will enable gadgets to operate on white space airwaves, nearly a year after first ratifying its "super WiFi" initiative. The Spectrum Bridge database, as outlined last year, will map out all channels that aren't being used by radio or TV services, thereby preventing broadband devices from interfering with broadcasts. The system will be tested over a 45-day period beginning on September 19th and ending on November 2nd, in order to make sure that it correctly distinguishes available channels from those currently in use. Cable operators and wireless mic users are invited to register with the database to test its accuracy, but this trial period could easily be extended if the Commission determines that further tests are in order. And, though there's still no indication that unlicensed broadband devices will be hitting the market anytime soon, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski seems confident that this white space spectrum could drastically change the industry. "Unleashing white spaces spectrum will enable a new wave of wireless innovation," Genachowski explained. "It has the potential to exceed the billions of dollars in economic benefit from WiFi, the last significant release of unlicensed spectrum, and drive private investment and job creation." You can read the FCC's full public notice, after the break.

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FCC to test white space database at its own pace originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC: white space devices won't require spectrum sensing modules

Darren Murph — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:17:00 EST

Phew. For a ~~moment~~ few years there, we thought any device set up to operate on these so-called white spaces -- which have been vacated following the analog-to-digital TV transition -- would be forced to use spectrum sensing modules in order to ensure that no TV station was operating in areas in which it wanted to. Based on the FCC's Second Memorandum Opinion and Order, which was just published a few days back, it looks as if forthcoming white space devices will not be required to ping databases in order to make absolutely sure that it won't interfere with TV stations.

That's the long and short of it, which is fantastic (if not expected) news for device makers and anyone who despises red tape, but Ars Technica has taken an in-depth look at why the Commission made such a call. Indeed, the FCC's 2008 Order mandated that white space gadgets check in beforehand in order to "protect TV signals from interference." Essentially, the call that nixed this addition was the fact that this security ring would inadvertently provide "many wireless microphones systems that go to unlicensed use" -- things like wireless systems at churches, football games, concerts, etc. As with anything FCC-related, it's a long and wordy explanation, but those interested in the finer details are just one click away from the nitty-gritty.

FCC: white space devices won't require spectrum sensing modules originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Sep 2010 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC votes unanimously in favor of using whitespace for 'super WiFi'

Ross Miller — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:55:00 EST

Just as we suspected earlier this month, the Federal Communications Commission has voted unanimously (that's five yeas and zero nays, if you need a specific tally) in favor of using the unlicensed whitespace airwaves for what it calls a "super WiFi" of sorts. The vote accordingly also mandates a database mapping out TV channels and major wireless mic users (e.g. broadway theaters and sports leagues), with at least two channels set aside for minor users of wireless mics. Google's Public Policy Blog wasted no time in praising the move, and more specifically the apparent rejection of "calls to enact burdensome and unnecessary constraints" that would discourage innovation. The company is accordingly now waiting on Chairman Julius Genachowski and friends to name administrators to the geolocation database and specify rules for its operation -- the last step, it believes, before products can reach consumers. So there you have it, the spare spectrum is all but good to go... ladies and gentleman, please don your thinking caps and get to work pronto.

FCC votes unanimously in favor of using whitespace for 'super WiFi' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC set to approve use of unlicensed airwaves for whitespace internet, wants 'innovators and entrepreneurs' to exploit them

Vlad Savov — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:17:00 EST

Digg Good old whitespace is finally about to get itself some real action, courtesy of the FCC's upcoming (and long-delayed) ratification of a decision to authorize its unlicensed use. Opening up the spare spectrum that resides between TV channels' broadcasting frequencies -- which in itself has expanded in the wake of the transition from analog to digital television -- is expected to be a massive boon to innovation, with exponentially larger wireless networks being the first prospective benefit. Such wireless nirvanas have already been set up in Claudville, Virginia and Wilmington, North Carolina, while Microsoft, Google, HP, Sprint, and others are said to be mulling and testing out their own ways for exploiting the newfound wireless freedom as well. Another positive note is that former requirements for white space-using devices to be able to tap into a database and identify themselves are likely to be scrapped, making for much simpler rollouts of whatever awesome new tech awaits in our future.

[Thanks, Marc]

FCC set to approve use of unlicensed airwaves for whitespace internet, wants 'innovators and entrepreneurs' to exploit them originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senators ask FCC to prioritize action on broadband white space, FCC promises nothing

Laura June — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:52:00 EST

Senators John Kerry (D - MA) and Olympia Snowe (R - Maine) have written a letter to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski asking them to prioritize actions on broadband white space while adhering to the scheduled Broadband Action Agenda, finishing it up by the third quarter of 2010. The national broadband plan includes 360 recommendations, with the white space action being just one of them. The letter reminded the commission that it's been about two years since it first authorized the use of white space, which would allow the use of unused television channels for wireless broadband.

Senators ask FCC to prioritize action on broadband white space, FCC promises nothing originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC starts up white spaces database, devices now inevitable

Vlad Savov — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:06:00 EST

White space devices seem likely to play a major part in the FCC's solution to the wireless spectrum crisis. Operating in the buffers between frequencies used by television broadcasts, these devices will be able to exploit TV's airspace without interfering with the incumbent users' traffic. The unlicensed utilization of white spaces has been approved going on for a year now, but really important government stuff has gotten in the way of making that vote a reality. It was only recently that Claudville, Virginia got the very first such network, and initial results show that it hasn't disrupted any of the fine, fine programming percolating the local airwaves. The only issue we see is that your WSD will need to be capable of both identifying its own position by GPS and hooking up to the database to find out what bands it may use, but then it's not like anyone sells smartphones without these capabilities nowadays, is it?

FCC starts up white spaces database, devices now inevitable originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft still hot for white space, describes WhiteFi wireless tech

Tim Stevens — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:11:00 EST

The white space odyssey continues, with manufacturers of all backgrounds and sizes salivating so heavily over the bountiful frequencies opened up by the DTV transition that they're willing to fight the NAB in a corporate cage match of epic proportions. Microsoft, part of the White Spaces Coalition and a company that's not always had success at this whole frequency-sharing thing, isn't giving up yet, presenting a paper this week at ACM SIGCOMM 2009 describing yet more new approaches and algorithms that would allow white space communication that functions like traditional WiFi devices -- but with ranges measured in miles instead of feet. Dubbed WhiteFi, the tech would include algorithms to enable both access points and clients to zero in on the same locally disused frequencies without stepping on the toes of other broadcasters. It certainly sounds like a consumer-friendly implementation, and something we'd very much like to deploy at the 442 acre Engadget compound in northwestern Montana (it's three counties away from the nearest hotspot), but we're not entirely convinced this latest approach will find any more success at appeasing/defeating the NAB than any of the prior attempts. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via dailywireless.org]

Filed under: Wireless

Microsoft still hot for white space, describes WhiteFi wireless tech originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NAB throws down, sues FCC over white space internet

Nilay Patel — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:46:00 EST

Look sharp, Julius: you may have thought the debate over white space internet was over since the FCC approved the Google- and Microsoft-backed plan and the industry's gearing up to make it reality, but part of the new gig is learning that nothing's ever over while NAB still has lawyers at its disposal -- the prickly broadcasting organization has filed suit to stop the tech from hitting the market. As usual, NAB says that despite all the convoluted geolocation sensing and interference detection measures the White Spaces Coalition promises to implement, TV signals will be interfered with, and that's not okay. Of course, we've heard all these arguments for years now, and while white space devices have had a rocky test history, they've been successful recently -- it seems like NAB is taking advantage of confusion at the FCC following the delayed DTV transition to try and pull the rug out while no one's looking. A bastard move, to be sure, but we doubt it's going to be successful -- going up against both the government and the heavy hitters of the tech industry is rarely a winning idea.

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NAB throws down, sues FCC over white space internet originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC cancels white space meeting to focus on digital TV transition

Darren Murph — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:05:00 EST

Man, we're clearly in the wrong line of work. It seems that being in the FCC means that you can basically ignore everything else going on so long as you squint really hard and pretend to make progress on an imminent event that's just over two months ago. Sure, we're just bitter, but we're struggling to understand why an agency this large can't work towards auctioning a slice of soon-to-be-freed airwaves for widespread internet use while educating consumers on the digital TV transition that's coming in February. Caving to requests from Democratic lawmakers, the FCC has canceled a December 18th meeting that would've been used to discuss the next step in making the most of white spaces, but unless we see these very suits walking the streets with signs saying "THE END IS NEAR! FEBRUARY 17TH, 2009!," we're going to be rather peeved.

[Via phonescoop]

Filed under: Wireless

FCC cancels white space meeting to focus on digital TV transition originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC votes yes on unlicensed white space use

Darren Murph — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:23:00 EST

You win some, you lose some -- so says FCC chairman Kevin Martin (pictured), in a roundabout way, at least. The hard-fought campaign for using the freed "white spaces" from the upcoming DTV transition in America has at long last led to victory for proponents such as Google, Microsoft and Intel, but suffice it to say, not everyone is thrilled about the decision. Essentially, the approval will allow unlicensed use of the soon-to-be-liberated spectrum, which could pave the way for mobile broadband access in rural locations (for example). Fuming TV broadcasters will theoretically be protected from any unwanted interference, as any device "offered by a technology company for use on the white spaces will have to go through a rigorous certification process." More wireless in '08 -- now isn't that something we can all agree on?

[Via TechCrunch, image courtesy of CESWeb]

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FCC votes yes on unlicensed white space use originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 04:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC considering delay of white space vote at NAB's request

Donald Melanson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:11:00 EST

In a series of events that's becoming all too reminiscent of the National Association of Broadcasters' attempts to stifle the XM / Sirius merger, the FCC now says that it is considering the NAB's recent last-minute request to delay the forthcoming November 4 vote on authorizing unlicensed white space devices (or WSDs). According to Ars Technica, however, while the FCC is considering the proposal, it's hardly enthused about it, with agency spokesperson Rob Kenny saying that it is "important to note that this proceeding has been open for several years and recently included multiple rounds of testing in the lab and field, which were open to the public and provided all interested parties with ample opportunities to comment and provide input." For its part, the NAB and a consortium of other broadcasters say that the FCC is relying on a "a flawed reading of the OET test results," and that if the vote passses, "WSDs will be let into the broadcast band without the protections that are necessary to prevent widespread interference to television and cable reception." As you might expect, the FCC hasn't yet tipped its hand as to when it might rule on the NAB's request, but if it does get its way, the vote would be delayed 70 days for a public comment cycle, or conceivably longer if the NAB finds another wrench to throw into the works.

[Via CNET News]

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FCC considering delay of white space vote at NAB's request originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Broadcasters seek to slow action on FCC's white space ruling

Darren Murph — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 16:20:00 EST

We knew they didn't like it, and now they're going out of their way to prove it. After FCC chairman Kevin Martin set forth a proposal to use the freed spectrum from the forthcoming 2009 digital TV transition for bringing mobile broadband to more locales, broadcasters who'd rather not deal with the trouble are stepping in with a collective "nuh uh!" Station owners and the four television networks filed an "emergency request" on Friday afternoon in hopes of convincing the FCC to hold off on its plan to vote on white space rules until "everyone had a chance to comment on the findings." The report that's mentioned found that no significant interference would come into play should the waves be opened up for unlicensed devices, but a spokeswoman for the National Association of Broadcasters stated that "the FCC is misinterpreting the actual data collected by their own engineers." Whether or not NAB will get the 45-day grace period it's asking for, however, remains to be seen.

[Via Mobile Tech Today, image courtesy of Orbitcast]

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FCC chairman wants to fill white spaces with broadband

Darren Murph — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 04:32:00 EST

Good news, folks -- Kevin Martin believes that more mobile broadband is good for this nation. And we're all about getting the WiFi to the people. Just as expected, the FCC chairman has voiced his support for using vacant airwaves from the looming 2009 digital TV transition to bring mobile broadband to more areas. According to Martin: "No one should ever underestimate the potential that new technologies and innovations may bring to society." His proposal was issued ahead of an official report asserting that potential interference with existing infrastructure could be avoided if "technical safeguards" were put in place to prevent it. Sounds good from here, now go 'head with your bad self, Mr. Martin.

[Image courtesy of TechLuver]

Read - Proposal
Read - Official interference report

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FCC expected to recommend unlicensed white space spectrum use

Darren Murph — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:59:00 EST

The back-and-forth between mainstream carriers and external mega-corps may finally be coming to an end, with the almighty FCC expected to make a pivotal determination regarding the use of white space in short order. For those unaware, white space refers to the freed spectrum that will become available when broadcasters move completely to digital TV next February, and there's been a heated debate between carriers (who typically "fear" unwanted interference by unlicensed use) and tech companies like Google who see this as a great opportunity to bring wireless services to rural areas (for instance). According to a new report from Reuters, the FCC is expected to weigh in at any moment, and it'll "likely" recommend the unlicensed use of the spectrum. The advice will be based on reports generated from years of data collection, but we're all stuck waiting in tense anticipation until it's released. Anytime now, FCC...

[Via phonescoop]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless

FCC expected to recommend unlicensed white space spectrum use originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google takes whitespace to the people with "Free the Airwaves"

Nilay Patel — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:56:00 EST

Whitespace internet has long had heavyweight industry backing from the likes of Dell, Microsoft, and Motorola, and while those companies and several others have been lobbying Congress and the FCC through staidly named groups like the Wireless Innovation Alliance and the White Space Coalition, it looks like Google is sick of the red tape -- it's launching a petition drive aimed squarely at consumers called "Free the Airwaves." Yep, Google's cribbing its whitespace marketing from Pump Up the Volume -- and while that's certainly enough to convince us, we've got a feeling it's not going to sway anyone else's opinion until this semi-vaporware tech is actually demonstrated working outside of an FCC lab. Put up or shut up, El Goog -- or at least play a Descendents song or two.

[Thanks, Zoli]

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Motorola declares white space device testing successful

Paul Miller — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:38:00 EST

Motorola is claiming success in the latest round of FCC white space device testing, countering Microsoft's numerous failed attempts. "It worked as well as we said it would," said Motorola's Steve Sharkey. So there. Motorola's device is mostly based on its geolocation capabilities, which in addition to its "sensing" tech allow it to know where which spectrum is being used by digital TV in that particular area and avoid it proactively. Sharkey calls the tech "absolute, solid protection," which should make members of the white space coalition happy -- though we haven't heard positive word from Philips, Adaptrum and InfoComm yet, who were also testing devices alongside Motorola, but aren't using the geolocation technology. That, and the FCC has the final word on all of this, so we'll just have to wait for that word from on high before we start riotous, interference free partying in the streets.

[Via dailywireless.org]

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Motorola declares white space device testing successful originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google pushes the FCC for white space access, will offer free reference designs to others

Nilay Patel — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:42:00 EST

The 700MHz auction is over, but that doesn't mean the days of high-stakes spectrum drama have come to a close -- just like we'd heard, Google today began a renewed push for white space internet. Backed by Microsoft, Philips, Dell, HP and others, white space transmissions are designed to fit in between TV signals on channels 2-51, but there's just one little problem -- the stuff doesn't really work yet. That's all about to change, according to Google: the company says it's done its own testing and will submit a proposal for an enhanced system to the FCC soon -- hmm, that could explain that secret test 700MHz network on the Google campus we've been hearing about, no? What's more, in an effort to open up the white space market and bring some competition to the broadband scene, Google says it's willing to provide free technical assistance and reference designs to other would-be white space providers wanting to get in on the action -- sort of like white space Android. Of course, all of this hinges on the FCC actually approving the tech, but if the 700MHz open-access drama showed us anything, it's that Google is pretty adept at playing the system to get what it wants from Uncle Sam.

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Google pushes the FCC for white space access, will offer free reference designs to others originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google to make white space wireless announcement in wake of FCC auctions

Ryan Block — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:41:00 EST

Details are a bit sparse, but according to CNET, in the wake of this week's non-defeat in the FCC spectrum auctions, Google is planning a press call to publicly discuss its intentions to continue lobbying the FCC to favor the pursuit of white space data transmissions. We know Google's all joined up with Microsoft, Intel, and a number of other triple-a companies in the white space coalition -- which intends to provide dynamic wireless access on shreds and scraps of unused radio spectrum, bringing the world a step closer to the magical land of software defined radios -- but exactly what G will be announcing we won't find out until next week.

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Google to make white space wireless announcement in wake of FCC auctions originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NAB takes on Microsoft, Google with anti-white space internet ads

Nilay Patel — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:02:00 EST

It's not often Microsoft and Google are on the same seemingly-losing side of a debate, but things just aren't looking good for the White Space Coalition, the open-airwaves internet access project backed by the two giants, as well as Dell, HP, Intel, and Philips. The once-promising tech was to transmit broadband-speed data in the "white space" between existing television signals, but pretty much failed its initial FCC testing by causing static on nearby channels and hasn't really been heard from since. Well, that's not enough for the feisty suits at the National Association of Broadcasters, which is taking out a series of ads in a campaign against the system, saying that "while our friends at Intel, Google and Microsoft may find system errors, computer glitches and dropped calls tolerable, broadcasters do not." This fight may or may not have legs depending on how the upcoming 700MHz auction goes, but one thing is clear -- the offices of the NAB are clearly not served by Comcast.

[Thanks, Mike]

Filed under: Wireless

NAB takes on Microsoft, Google with anti-white space internet ads originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft to dispute FCC findings on 'white space' device

Joshua Topolsky — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:59:00 EST

Hot on the heels of the "white space device" test flop of 2007 (i.e., last week's news) Microsoft is regrouping and firing back at the FCC's findings, claiming that the initial prototype was "defective," but a new model works correctly. In an attempt to convince US regulators that use of the soon-to-be-abandoned 700MHz spectrum is "safe" for wireless internet services, Microsoft (along with White Space Coalition cohorts such as Google and Intel) is claiming that the technology is sound and can work side by side with its broadcast television neighbors -- and they have proof. As you'll recall, the first round of tests apparently produced "static" on nearby channels -- leading the FCC to send the coalition packing -- but Redmond is claiming that a new study carried out by the airwave-controlling agency yielded positive results. So, what might have been a major wind-out-of-the-sails-moment for the 700MHz-champions is starting to look more like a healthy gust of air.

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Microsoft to dispute FCC findings on 'white space' device originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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FCC chimes in on 'white space' device from Google, Microsoft and others: it doesn't work

Paul Miller — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:30:00 EST

It's hard not to love the promise of the White Space Coalition, which includes players like Google, Microsoft, Dell, Earthlink, HP, Intel and Philips. Those crazy kids want to bring us wireless internet over the "white space" bandwidth in between TV broadcast channels, and we say let 'em. One little problem though, FCC says the concept doesn't work. The prototype that the Coalition submitted for review was designed to sense existing TV signals and transmit around them, but the FCC found it inconsistent in this aim, and won't be giving its stamp approval to a device that interferes with existing broadcasts. The FCC does say that it's open to looking at the next generation of the technology, since better performance is certainly possible, and the White Space Coalition wasn't too downhearted: the group is "encouraged that FCC engineers did not find fault with our operating parameters and remain confident that unlicensed television spectrum can be used without interference." Between this fledgling technology and that upcoming 700MHz auction, things are really looking up for WiFi-jilted mobile internet users across the States.

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FCC chimes in on 'white space' device from Google, Microsoft and others: it doesn't work originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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