Unlicensed Devices in the TV Broadcast Spectrum (in 2009).

The FCC just announced a Projected Schedule for Proceeding on Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands which slows innovation to a crawl and purports to call for unlicensed devices in the TV Broadcast Spectrum in 2009. While I've previously mentioned that the FCC's Ostrich-like predilection for ducking technological innovation is highly problematic -- ignoring unlicensed use of the TV spectrum for years is utterly amazing to me.

Here's the milestone dates -- my bet is that by March 2007 they're already well behind:

Read more...

Projected Date & Milestone




October 2006
Commission adopts a First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rule Making

March 2007

FCC Laboratory reports the results of measurements of the interference rejection capabilities of DTV receivers

July 2007

FCC Laboratory reports the results of tests evaluating potential interference from unlicensed devices to TV and other radio services

October 2007

Commission adopts a Second Report and Order specifying final technical requirements for unlicensed devices that operate in the TV bands

December 2007

FCC Laboratory begins accepting applications for certification of unlicensed devices operating in the TV bands; certification will be granted at such time as the application has been reviewed and found to comply with the rules; certification will permit manufacture and shipment of products to distribution points

February 2009

Products will be available for sale at retail

Meanwhile, the FCC has decided to:

encourage interested parties to conduct tests and submit them into the record for this proceeding. In the meantime, the FCC Laboratory plans to conduct its own testing program to quantify the interference rejection capabilities of DTV receivers and to assess potential interference from unlicensed devices operating in the TV bands. The FCC Laboratory also plans to test DTV converter boxes once they become available. Details regarding FCC testing will be announced at a later time.

In essence leaving the initial documentation to the very companies that do not want to see unlicensed devices in the TV Broadcast band and absolutely ensuring that the February 2009 deadline will never be achieved. The FCC continues to ignore advances in software-defined and cognitive radio technologies -- pandering to the FUD propagated by existing license holders and failing in their fundamental responsibility to maximize the publics benefit from the public airwaves. Whereas the FCC could have been bold, it has chosen once again to stall, hem and haw.