FCC: White Space Devices Meet 'Proof of Concept'

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 16, 2008 - 9:18am.

Washington - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued its report on its test of "white space" devices -- which could be used to deliver high-speed Internet access using portions of the broadcast spectrum -- which concludes that device prototypes have provided 'proof of concept,' helping spur FCC chairman Kevin Martin to publicly support the technology. It's now expected that the FCC will approve white space technology in some form when it votes on the issue on Nov. 4.

TV broadcasters, cable TV providers, mobile network operators and producers of events like Broadway shows and football games that use wireless microphones have been vocal in their concerns that white space devices may interfere with their existing signals.

"At this juncture, we believe that the burden of 'proof of concept' has been met," the FCC's Office of Engineering Technology (OET) concluded in its test of prototype white space devices, made by firms including Motorola, Microsoft and Philips.

While the devices did meet the proof of concept test, some interference issues remain that will likely delay their deployment in the marketplace.