TV White Space: From Possibilities to Precedents

Super WiFi SummitMiami Beach Convention Center

February 2, 2012

Julius Knapp, Chief Office of Engineering and Technology

Note: The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and may not necessarily represent the views of the Federal Communications Commission

Unlicensed Devices: Part Unlicensed Devices: Part 1515

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.

Wide Variety of Applications 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 . . .

TV White Spaces

2 4 5 7 9

3 6 8 10

Non-Broadcastspectrum

Non-Broadcastspectrum

New York CityFull PowerTV Stations

PhiladelphiaFull PowerTV Stations

Low Power TV

WhiteSpace

WhiteSpace

WhiteSpace

WhiteSpace

Etc.

Etc.

• 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

Low Power TV

Only for illustrative purposes

WirelessMicrophones

WirelessMicrophones

5

TVWS Spectrum TVWS Spectrum AvailabilityAvailability 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):

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48

49

50

51

New York

Washington, DC

Full Service DTV Station

Low Power TV Station

Channel Open/ Adjacent to TV

Channel Open/ Not Adjacent to TV

In less dense areas many channels are available. For example: Wilmington, NC: 25 channels = 150

MHzHarrisburg, PA: 19 channels = 114 MHz

TV White Spaces 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

Mode 1: Portable device obtains location/channels from fixed device

Mode 2: Portable device uses its own geolocation/data base access capability

Data Base

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

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

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

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

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!

The FCC Would Need to Realign the Spectrum After the Auction

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 TVBB BB

Adjacent ChannelInterference

Without Realignment:Reduced Broadband Bandwidth

TV TV BB

Adjacent ChannelInterference

With Realignment: Accommodates Increased Broadband Bandwidth

TV TV

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

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 DSA14

Conclusion

Questions?