Broadband Wireless Internet Access (BWIA) UHF

A Deep Look Behind The Scenes At Whitespace Standards Development

The most surprising aspect of a recent story relating to Television Broadcast Whitespace (Television Broadcasting Incumbents Launch Pre-emptive Advertising Strike Against Portable Whitespace Devices) was that Television Broadcasters appear to be supportive of license-exempt Whitespace communications:

We also believe that there are ways to utilize spectrum through fixed systems that can offer the advantages of broadband to rural consumers without threatening viewers who rely on over-the-air television. - Excerpt from a letter by National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and Association For Maximum Service Television (MSTV) to FCC Chairman Martin.

At most, I expected grudging acceptance by television broadcasters of the concept of License-exempt Television Broadcast Whitespace communications, with minimal cooperation. But, from the posting below, that actually isn't the case. But I was still hardpressed to believe "active" cooperation regarding Television Broadcast Whitespace until I had  seen television broadcast organizations state that they "embrace" such a concept, in documents that are on official record. So, the posting below assumes new relevance, and explains that, with 802.22, not just why television broadcasters "aren't afraid" of License-exempt Television Broadcast Whitespace communications... but perhaps more importantly, how such communications will work and not interfere with continuing television broadcasting.

(Click below to continue the story.)

Television Broadcasting Incumbents Launch Pre-emptive Advertising Against Portable Whitespace Devices

A number of news sources report that the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) have begun print advertisements and television commercials in the Washington DC metropolitan area that rail against the potential use of vacant television broadcast channels by portable license-exempt devices. Reportedly, the television advertisements feature a classic scaremongering technique - displaying a simulation of potential impaired television reception of a television broadcast of a (Washington Redskins) football game because of interference from a license-exempt whitespace communications device.

Apparently the advertisements are merely the opening salvo of a much bigger campaign. A well-respected "Communications industry insider's publication" reports that the advertising blitz begins "an all-out fight", to be followed by an extensive and well-financed in-person lobbying campaign from television broadcasting interests such Disney (owners of the ABC television network), General Electric (owners of the NBC television network), several pro sports leagues, and other small television broadcasting groups. The goal of the "pressing the flesh" campaign with lawmakers and FCC regulators is to cajole against the possibility of portable license-exempt whitespaces devices. Interestingly (for two organizations ostensibly dedicated to the propagation of news and information), no mention whatsoever of this campaign was found in a scan of the Press Releases sections of both organizations.

(Click below to continue the story.)