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NEWS

New US legislation would let unlicensed WLANs use empty TV channels

Posted by Pamela Leavey in The Democratic Daily blog, 17 February:

"Today in a bipartisan effort, Senator George Allen (R-VA) and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced in the Senate the Wireless Innovation Act of 2006 (WINN Act). Senators John Sununu (R-NH) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) also co-sponsored the bill.

"The Wireless Innovation Act of 2006 aims to 'facilitate the development of wireless broadband Internet access by allocating certain areas within the broadcast spectrum known as white spaces that are otherwise unassigned or unused...'

" 'White spaces represent a significant untapped opportunity for new product innovation and unlicensed spectrum use. While we may be able to guess at some of the products that might develop because of this bill, the real benefits will probably derive from those that we can't imagine today,' said Sununu. 'Thankfully, advances in technology have eliminated any real claims of harmful interference by existing licensees in this spectrum band.'

"The WINN Act specifically requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to permit unlicensed use of unassigned broadcast spectrum between 54MHz and 698 MHz within 180 days of enactment.

" 'Our bill encourages the most robust and efficient use of this nation's spectrum. These white spaces exist in virtually every geographic area in this country and I believe they are a valuable public resource that should be used for the benefit of all American consumers... our legislation would put this country one step closer to closing the economic digital divide and achieving ubiquitous broadband Internet access throughout America,' Allen said..."

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From a press release issued by Senator Ted Stevens, dated 17 February:

"Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today introduced the American Broadband for Communities Act of 2006. The Act frees up spectrum not being used by broadcasters for unlicensed wireless devices which would provide communities with wireless broadband and home networking services.

"Broadcasters are allocated hundreds of megahertz (MHz) of spectrum to provide television service across the country. But in any one market some of the spectrum goes unused. Some studies have indicated that there is more than 150 MHz of spectrum in Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu, Hawaii, that could be used by unlicensed devices for wireless services. Even in large cities like Boston and Chicago it is estimated that nearly 50 MHz of spectrum goes unused.

"The bill would allow manufacturers to design unlicensed devices to be operated in the broadcast spectrum not being used by broadcasters. These unlicensed devices would make it easier for companies to offer broadband services to consumers. The devices would be designed to sense their environment and identify what spectrum is in use and would only use portions of the broadcast spectrum not being used by broadcasters.

" 'Allowing unlicensed operations in the broadcast band could play a significant role in bringing wireless broadband and home networking to more of our citizens by lowering costs, particularly in Alaska where connectivity is so important due to our remoteness,' said Stevens.

"The American Broadband for Communities Act also directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) [to] craft technical requirements for unlicensed devices in the broadcast band that would protect broadcast stations, a proceeding it has already initiated. In addition, the legislation urges the FCC to further establish an interference complaint resolution process for broadcasters...."

[Spectrum Policy: 20 February 2006]