[802.19] BREAKING NEWS: FCC TVWS rule changes
Hi all,
Here is a summary of the FCC announcement on TVWS which happened this AM
in the
FCC's open commission meeting. It was streamed to the Internet for
the benefit of the
press and the public. The modified R&O text won't be out for a few
more days (?). The
below list is from my notes while listening to the verbal comments from
the FCC
commissioners during the meeting.
TVWS R&O Changes:
1. Sensing is NOT required of TVBDs which have access to
the FCC TVWS dbase.
2. Sensing only terminal is reserved as a future option and FCC
encourages
continued
DOD research and commercialization of sensing technologies.
3. Two TV channels will be reserved nationwide (not clear if
it will be same 2 channels in
all
markets) for protected wireless microphones.
4. Incumbents needing more than 2 TV channels in any market for
special events and
sports
venues will be able to register for and reserve additional TV channels
for
wireless
microphone use for these special events. These additional
reservations
will be
included in and protected by the FCC TVWS dbase.
5. The Canada and Mexico border exclusion zone (upto 60Km wide) is
being scrapped.
Instead of
blacking out TVWS use at borders, the FCC dbase will include and
list
protected
Canadian and Mexican stations near US borders. These foreign
incumbent
stations
will be protected by the same FCC dbase mechanisms protecting US
incumbents.
6. New initiative coming soon to provide licensed use of TV band
for RURAL broadband backhaul.
(Not clear
if this will follow the Canada low-cost licensed model, the auction
model, or something else.)
7. Knapp noted that he expects and hopes that the FCC can conclude
on and award the TVWS Dbase manager
contracts
in the "next few months." Undoubtedly, the decision to
list Canadian and
Mexican
incumbents will have some impact here.
This is a very positive development for all the TVWS projects currently
underway.
BR,
Joe Kwak