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FCC | RIN: 3060-AI52 | Publication ID: Spring 2015 |
Title: Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands (ET Docket No. 04-186) | |
Abstract:
The Commission adopted rules to allow unlicensed radio transmitters to operate in the broadcast television spectrum at locations where that spectrum is not being used by licensed services (this unused TV spectrum is often termed "white spaces"). This action will make a significant amount of spectrum available for new and innovative products and services, including broadband data and other services for businesses and consumers. The actions taken are a conservative first step that includes many safeguards to prevent harmful interference to incumbent communications services. Moreover, the Commission will closely oversee the development and introduction of these devices to the market and will take whatever actions may be necessary to avoid, and if necessary, correct any interference that may occur. The Second Memorandum Opinion and Order finalizes rules to make the unused spectrum in the TV bands available for unlicensed broadband wireless devices. This particular spectrum has excellent propagation characteristics that allow signals to reach farther and penetrate walls and other structures. Access to this spectrum could enable more powerful public Internet connections--super Wi-Fi hot spots--with extended range, fewer dead spots, and improved individual speeds as a result of reduced congestion on existing networks. This type of "opportunistic use" of spectrum has great potential for enabling access to other spectrum bands and improving spectrum efficiency. The Commission's actions here are expected to spur investment and innovation in applications and devices that will be used not only in the TV band, but eventually in other frequency bands as well. This Order addressed five petitions for reconsideration of the Commission's decisions in the Second Memorandum Opinion and Order ("Second MO&O") in this proceeding and modified rules in certain respects. In particular, the Commission: (1) increased the maximum height above average terrain (HAAT) for sites where fixed devices may operate; (2) modified the adjacent channel emission limits to specify fixed rather than relative levels; and (3) slightly increased the maximum permissible power spectral density (PSD) for each category of TV bands device. These changes will result in decreased operating costs for fixed TVBDs and allow them to provide greater coverage, thus increasing the availability of wireless broadband services in rural and underserved areas without increasing the risk of interference to incumbent services. The Commission also revised and amended several of its rules to better effectuate the Commission's earlier decisions in this docket and to remove ambiguities. |
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Agency: Federal Communications Commission(FCC) | Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant |
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Long-Term Actions |
Major: No | Unfunded Mandates: No |
CFR Citation: 47 CFR 15 | |
Legal Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154(i) 47 U.S.C. 302 47 U.S.C. 303(e) and 303(f) 47 U.S.C. 303(r) 47 U.S.C. 307 |
Legal Deadline:
None |
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Timetable:
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes | Government Levels Affected: Federal, State |
Small Entities Affected: Businesses | |
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No | |
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes | |
Agency Contact: Hugh Van Tuyl Electronics Engineer Federal Communications Commission 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554 Phone:202 418-7506 Fax:202 418-1944 Email: hugh.vantuyl@fcc.gov |