Genachowski announces white spaces database testing
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:
NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
September 14, 2011Neil Grace, (202) 418-0506
Email: Neil.Grace@fcc.gov
FCC CHAIRMAN GENACHOWSKI ANNOUNCES PUBLIC TESTING
OF FIRST TELEVISION WHITE SPACES DATABASE
FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology Issues Public Notice to Start Public Testing for
Spectrum Bridge's TV White Spaces Database System
Washington, D.C. Today, the Federal Communications Commission issued a Public Notice announcing
that the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) will commence a 45-day public trial of Spectrum
Bridge Inc.'s TV band database system, beginning September 19, 2011.
Unused spectrum between TV stations--called white spaces--represents a valuable opportunity for our
changing wireless mobile landscape. This block of spectrum is powerful platform for innovation and
experimental use, holding rich potential for research and commercial purposes. The result of white spaces
innovation has already led to a wave of new consumer technologies, including wi-fi and other innovations
like baby monitors and cordless phones that have generated billions in economic growth.
Commission rules require that unlicensed TV band devices contact an authorized database system to obtain a
list of channels that are available for their operation (i.e., channels not occupied by authorized radio services)
at their individual locations and must operate only on those channels.
The limited trial is intended to allow the public to access and test Spectrum Bridge's database system to
ensure that it correctly identifies channels that are available for unlicensed TV band devices, properly
registers those facilities entitled to protection, and provides protection to authorized services and registered
facilities as specified in the rules.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, "Unleashing white spaces spectrum will enable a new wave of
wireless innovation. It has the potential to exceed the billions of dollars in economic benefit from wi-fi, the
last significant release of unlicensed spectrum, and drive private investment and job creation."
Parties may participate in the trial by accessing Spectrum Bridge's TV band database test facility at
http://whitespaces.spectrumbridge.com/Trial.aspx.
The trial of the Spectrum Bridge database system is scheduled to last for 45 days and will end on November
2, 2011. During this trial, participants are encouraged to test the channel availability calculator; the cable
headend and broadcast auxiliary temporary receive site registration utilities; and the wireless microphone
registration utility to ensure that each of these elements of the database system is working properly and
providing the interference protection required under our rules.
In addition, participants are encouraged to report any inaccuracies or other issues with any aspect of the
database system to Spectrum Bridge through the response facility on the trial's website. Spectrum Bridge
will respond, as appropriate, to such reports with an explanation and notification of any responsive actions it
may take, as appropriate. During the trial, Spectrum Bridge may apply any corrective measures it determines
are needed and will advise participants of such measures through the trial's website.
Participants are also encouraged to report any inaccuracies or other issues with any aspect of the database
system to Spectrum Bridge through the response facility on the trial's website, which will make
modifications as appropriate. After the close of the trial, Spectrum Bridge will provide a summary report to
OET that identifies problems reported and their disposition, as well as descriptions of changes made to the
channel availability calculator or registration systems.
Read the Public Notice here: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-11-1534A1.doc.
--FCC--
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