White Spaces Vote Still on FCC Agenda
Nov. 4 agenda released late Tuesday includes contentious vote on allowing mobile, unlicensed devices to share broadcast spectrum
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/28/2008 7:52:00 PM
Despite a chorus of pleas from broadcasters, musicians, sports and concert producers, religious broadcasters and a number of legislators, asking the FCC to reconsider holding a vote on allowing mobile, unlicensed devices to operate in the so-called “white spaces” of the digital spectrum, the planned Nov. 4 vote remained on the commission’s agenda
It could still be pulled anytime up to the day of the meeting. The chairman is said to have at least two votes and is trying to get the third locked down. A source told B&C last week that there were three likely votes, but not set in stone.
Part of the reason for that uncertainty was likely the lingering tension over the low-power must-carry item that the chairman and the other four commissioners parted company over. But it may also be the blitz of filings from everyone from Dolly Parton to all the major sports leagues asking the FCC to table the vote and instead put out for public comment an FCC engineering report saying the devices could be made to share the band without interfering with TV or microphone reception.
The commission waived the sunshine period for the white spaces item, meaning the usual seven-day quiet period for contact with the commissioners over an item on the agenda is not in effect through this Friday, Oct. 31. Hence, both sides can continue to weigh in with the commission on the item until that time.
Computer companies want to be able to use the so-called white spaces between TV channels for wireless broadband and other advanced wireless services. Broadcasters are concerned that the devices will interfere with DTV channels and wireless microphones that already share the spectrum.
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Being that this is on Election Day night, will any broadcaster even mention the results on the air?
Maybe the scheduling was intentional?
Ken W. English - 10/29/2008 2:10:00 PM EDT -
author,
i like how you bolded out the "Dolly Parton" part of your article... her and 28 elected boobs are against this, huh?
invitedmedia - 10/29/2008 11:31:00 AM EDT -
STOP THE BLITZ against b'cast TV. White spaces sharing will render OTA broadcast DTV an unreliable medium, and mobile devices signal leakage will do the same for cable TV. Why is the chairman so adamant about getting this done before the election, before the questionable field tests are subject to peer review? It's a one-two assault -- first, white spaces sharing, then the end of analog TV signals before the public is ready. The public and broadcasters will revolt against these policies, and the politicians will pay the price, unless lawmakers and regulators start acting in the public interest.
Adam Smith - 10/29/2008 1:58:00 AM EDT
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