TV White Space: From Possibilities to Precedents

1. TV White Space: From Possibilities to Precedents Note: The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and may not necessarily represent the views of the Federal Communications Commission Super WiFi Summit Miami Beach Convention Center February 2, 2012 Julius Knapp, Chief Office of Engineering and Technology

2. Unlicensed Devices: Part 15 • Part 15 provides for operation of low power radio transmitters without the need for the user to obtain a license • Operating conditions: • May not cause harmful interference • Must accept any interference received • Minimizes likelihood of interference by: • Identifying permissible frequencies • Limiting power to very low levels • Requiring equipment authorization • Permissible frequencies: • Unlicensed devices are not “allocated” spectrum (except Unlicensed-PCS) • Generally operate on unused spectrum or on “overlay” basis • Or in ISM “junk bands”: 915 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz • Restricted from operating in public safety & low signal bands • Industry has developed voluntary protocol standards within the framework of the rules: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth; Zigbee; etc.

3. Wi-Fi devices - Home and business networks; hot-spots Community, urban & rural broadband networks by WISPs Bluetooth headsets & keyboards Automobile keyless entry Wireless baby monitors In-home video distribution Remote control toys Toy walkie-talkies Utility meter readers & smart grid energy control Tank level meters Traffic light controls Crane controls Lighting controls & dimmers Wireless door bells Cordless phones Garage door opener controls Sensors for automatic doors Industrial automation controls RF ID systems Retail anti-theft systems Security alarm systems Wireless speakers Satellite Radio-to-FM radio Convergence w licensed devices Medical camera pills Medical panic alerts Meat thermometers Inventory control Pool cover controllers Diaper wetness sensor And the list goes on . . . Wide Variety of Applications

4. TV White Spaces • TV channels are “allotted” to cities to serve the local area • Other licensed and unlicensed services are also in TV bands • “White Spaces” are the channels that are “unused” at any given location by licensed devices 2 4 Non- Broadcast spectrum 5 7 9 White Space Low Power TV Wireless Microphones Etc. New York City Full Power TV Stations Only for illustrative purposes 3 Non- Broadcast spectrum 6 8 10 White Space White Space White Space Low Power TV Wireless Microphones Philadelphia Full Power TV Stations Etc.

5. TVWS Spectrum Availability • Available spectrum varies by location • In rural areas many channels are available • In big cities only a few channels may be available • Examples of availability in UHF channels 21 – 51 (Illustrative): New York Washington, DC Low Power TV Station Channel Open/ Adjacent to TV Full Service DTV Station Channel Open/ Not Adjacent to TV In less dense areas many channels are available. For example: Wilmington, NC: 25 channels = 150 MHz Harrisburg, PA: 19 channels = 114 MHz 5

6. TV White Spaces Mode 1: Portable device obtains location/channels from fixed device Mode 2: Portable device uses its own geolocation/data base access capability Data Base • Final rules adopted Sept. 2010: • Provides first new spectrum for unlicensed below 5 GHz in many years • Introduces new spectrum access model based on geolocation & data base of protected services • Also allows for spectrum sensing w/ rigorous review & authorization process • Services protected in the data base: • TV digital and analog Class A, low power, translator & booster stations • Broadcast auxiliary (wireless mikes) • Cable head-ends and TV translators • Land mobile • Sites with significant wireless microphone use 6

7. What We’ve Done • Jan. 26, 2011, the Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology issued an Order in ET Docket 04-186, DA 11-131 that conditionally designated TVWS Data Base Administrators: Comsearch, Frequency Finder Inc., Google Inc., KB Enterprises LLC and LS Telcom, Key Bridge Global LLC, Neustar Inc., Spectrum Bridge Inc., Telcordia Technologies, and WSdb; later added Microsoft • March – May 2011 held 3 public workshops plus additional meetings & dialogue Extensive info at: http://transition.fcc.gov/oet/whitespace/ • Sept. 14, 2011 – Announced 1st TVWS data base test - Spectrum Bridge • Dec. 2, 2011 - Announced 2nd TVWS data base test - Telcordia • Dec. 22, 2011: Approved first data base administrator - Spectrum Bridge • Dec. 22, 2011: Approved first TVWS device – Koos Technical Services, Inc. (KTS) • Jan. 26, 2012: First commercial deployment - Wilmington, NC

8. What We Are Doing • Accepting & processing applications for equipment certification • Continuing process to approve data base administrators • Delivery of wireless microphone registration process • Waivers to register certain TV receive sites in data base • Will soon address petitions for reconsideration of rules

9. Benefits of TV White Space • Prime spectrum • Great propagation & coverage • High amounts in much of the USA • Close to spectrum used by commercial wireless services - - potential synergy • New IEEE 802.22™ standard: • IEEE SA Emerging Technology of the Year Award • Broadband wireless access over a large area up to 100 km • Up to 29 Mbps per TV channel • Can increase data rate through use of multiple channels • Wi-Fi & TV White Space is not an either-or proposition: • Each may suit particular needs • Wi-Fi has greater bandwidth but usage density is increasing • When combined consumers & users could see significant benefits

10. Potential Applications • Broadband (generally) • Rural broadband • Video – Monitoring, surveillance, distribution • State & Local Governments • M2M • Smart Grid • Health Care • Education • Data traffic off-load Provides a new opportunity for innovation and delivery of service, with potential for both research and commercial applications Spectrum is open to everyone & and is available now Potential uses limited only by the imagination

11. TV Broadcast Incentive Auctions • Incentive auctions would share auction proceeds with the current occupant to motivate voluntary relocation of incumbents • Otherwise, no incentive for current occupant to give back spectrum • Modification of FCC auction authority needed • Broadcaster participation in incentive auction would be voluntary • In an incentive auction, in exchange for a share of auction proceeds a broadcaster could: • Contribute one or more 6 MHz channels • Choose to move from U to V • Share spectrum with another broadcaster • Or choose not to participate!

12. The FCC Would Need to Realign the Spectrum After the Auction Adjacent Channel Interference • FCC would realign the spectrum into blocks to maximize efficiency and value • Without realignment, interference between television and wireless operations would increase • The FCC would work with industry to minimize any interference or coverage impacts of realignment, as we did for the DTV transition • Stations keep current channel numbers • Moves to a lower band would be voluntary based on broadcaster reserve price TV TV TV BB TV BB Without Realignment: Reduced Broadband Bandwidth Adjacent Channel Interference BB TV TV TV TV With Realignment: Accommodates Increased Broadband Bandwidth

13. Impact on TV White Space Strong support in Congress for TV bands incentive auction Demand for more spectrum for wireless broadband Could generate $25 billion in revenues, plus 10x in economic benefits Some of revenue generated could be used to support build out of public safety broadband network Impact on TVWS will depend on legislation: House: Jumpstarting Opportunity with Broadband Spectrum - JOBS Act Senate: S-911 – Public Safety Spectrum Wireless Innovation Act Discussions under way in context of payroll tax negotiations FCC has advocated support to provide for both licensed and unlicensed FCC would conduct rule making if legislation is passed There will be white space; question is how much and where

14. FCC Notice of Inquiry on Dynamic Spectrum Access (ET Docket 10-237) Notice of Inquiry (NOI) considers how dynamic access radios and techniques can provide a more intensive and efficient use of spectrum Seeks comment on the current state of the art and how FCC can promote these technologies - - test-beds or modifying its spectrum management practices and policies Covers both licensed services and unlicensed devices What spectrum bands would be most suitable? Asks whether TV White Space model might be used for other bands Asks whether and how to incorporate spectrum sensing for other bands Asks whether FCC provisions for secondary market arrangements could be enhanced to increase use by dynamic access radios Asks how to improve FCC “Spectrum Dashboard” for DSA 14

15. Conclusion Questions?