mocoNews.net - FCC Tests Determine White Space Devices Can Operate Without Interference Problems

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Matt Kapko

mocoNews.net
Friday, October 10, 2008; 11:00 PM

Devices are capable of accessing the "white spaces" between airwaves without affecting the adjacent licensed networks under certain power-level limits, the FCC concluded in a detailed report released Friday afternoon. Microsoft ( NSDQ: MSFT), Dell, Motorola ( NYSE: MOT) and Google ( NSDQ: GOOG) are just some of the companies that want unlicensed access to the vacant TV channels for high-speed wireless services, but broadcasters and wireless-microphone manufacturers have fought against any such move along with T-Mobile. The unlicensed, so called "white space" spectrum (or AWS-3 band) was tested for interference with T-Mobile's AWS-1 network in Seattle recently by the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology. T-Mobile's 3G network, which is currently being rolled out across much of the country is in the 2110-2155 MHz band, and therefore sits adjacent to the proposed unlicensed band in the 2155-2175 range. The report tentatively concluded that AWS-3 devices could operate under certain power level restrictions "without a significant risk of harmful interference?The analysis shows that an AWS-1 and AWS-3 device operating in close proximity does not necessarily result in interference. And when factoring in actual operation under non-static conditions, the situation only improves." Such action would "be consistent with past practice and would encourage the parties to work together to adopt whatever further measures may be necessary to control interference," the report continued.

The report is now available for comment and a final decision by the FCC is expected before the end of the year. Full Report (pdf).

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