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NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D. C. 20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT

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January 9, 2009
Robert Kenny, (202) 418-2668
Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov
Matthew Nodine, (202) 418-1646
Matthew.Nodine@fcc.gov

FCC CHAIRMAN MARTIN CREATES NEW INTERNATIONAL TV WHITE SPACES

FELLOWSHIP AND TRAINING INITIATIVE

Washington, D.C. Federal Communications Commission Chairman (FCC) Kevin J.
Martin today announced the creation of a new International TV White Spaces Fellowship and
Training Initiative. The use of TV white spaces has the potential to improve wireless broadband
connectivity and inspire an ever-widening array of new Internet-based products and services for
consumers. International experts and fellows will have the opportunity to interact directly with
FCC staff through in-country interaction, structured educational dialogue, a dedicated interactive
website, online training videos, and an annual conference.
Chairman Martin said, "This Fellowship and Training Initiative will provide a platform
for the FCC to work with international regulators and their spectrum experts on technical issues
associated with the use of TV white spaces and further build on our momentum in this area. It is
important that we continue to support ways to expand consumers access to cutting edge wireless
products, while also encouraging the most efficient and innovative use of valuable spectrum, and
this program will help us achieve those goals."
More specifically, drawing upon the extensive experience gained through years of work
spent examining the use of TV white spaces by unlicensed wireless devices, FCC staff will
provide remote training to interested regulators and technical experts and will also travel to meet
with them to provide practical advice and expert insight. Select international counterparts will
be designated "White Spaces Fellows" and will be invited to attend targeted training at FCC
facilities. In addition, the FCC will launch a website dedicated to the use of white spaces for
wireless broadband including the extraordinary testing done and technical parameters
established to protect incumbent users and provide training videos. The FCC also plans to
annually host a meeting of the White Spaces Fellows and other interested parties to exchange
experiences and discuss the opportunities and challenges of TV white spaces use.
The Fellowship and Training Initiative comes on the heels of actions taken by the
Commission last November to adopt rules that will allow for the unlicensed commercial use of
TV White Spaces spectrum. The Commission's rules establish a framework for enhanced
wireless communications by building on a proven concept: the safe deployment of new,
intelligent devices in the unused spectrum that exists between television channels without
causing undue interference to adjacent users. This expanded use of the spectrum is expected to

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eventually allow for enhanced home broadband networks, intelligent peer-to-peer devices, and
even small communications networks.
During his tenure, Chairman Martin has engaged in constructive dialogue with regulators
from around the world on many common challenges. The most important of these has been to
ensure that all citizens have access to "next generation networks." Broadband and the innovative
applications that it enables have become increasingly critical drivers of both economic growth
and social development. Innovative wireless technologies must play a critical part of any
broadband strategy that seeks to foster choice and access. This Fellowship and Training Initiative
builds on this concept.
The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) and the International Bureau (IB)
will oversee the Fellowship initiative and, in general, will seek qualified candidates for the
Fellowship who are familiar with the technical aspects of wireless communications, particularly
broadband services, and the testing of commercial wireless devices for commercial use.
Additional details will be made available by OET and IB at a later date on the specific
criteria for qualified applicants, when applications will be accepted and when the initiative is
expected to begin.
For additional information, contact Robert Kenny @ (202) 418-2668 or
Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov; or Matthew Nodine at (202) 418-1646 or Matthew.Nodine@fcc.gov.
-FCC-
News and other information about the FCC is available at www.fcc.gov

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