[IRCA] White-space converter fizzles, again

[John Hunter <jshunter@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Technology companies eager to grab vacant airwaves


WASHINGTON - Technology companies eager to grab 
vacant airwaves and use them for high-speed 
Internet service first have to develop a gizmo 
that makes the conversion possible.

They just can't seem to get it right.

Last week, a prototype device broke down again ­ 
the second time in seven months ­ in the hands of 
the Federal Communications Commission. Regulators 
there must be convinced that the airwaves can be 
used for broadband service in a way that doesn't 
interfere with other TV programming and wireless microphone signals.

An FCC spokesman declined to comment on the matter.

Ian Ferrell, director of wireless incubation for 
Microsoft Corp., one of companies developing the 
prototype, said the device lost power after continual testing.

(Msnbc.com is a joint venture of Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

Technical glitches aren't the only power issues 
facing the high-tech coalition, whose members 
also include Google Inc., Dell Inc., 
Hewlett-Packard Co., Intel Corp., EarthLink Inc. 
and Philips Electronics North America Corp., a 
division of Netherlands-based Royal Philips 
Electronics NV. The coalition is in a public 
relations squabble with TV broadcasters, who fear 
such technology will interfere with their programming.

The fight over so-called "white spaces" is 
heating up in anticipation of the February 2009 
switch from analog to digital signals.

Broadcasters quickly channeled the device's break 
down as evidence of interference risks. The 
prototype's failure was reported by a trade 
publication late Friday night. In a press release 
Monday, the National Association of Broadcasters, 
the main lobbying group for local TV and radio 
stations, said the devices "are not ready for prime time."

"This admission by 'white space' proponents 
vindicates beyond doubt the interference concerns 
expressed by broadcasters, sports leagues, 
wireless microphone companies and theater 
operators," NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton said. 
"Completing a successful transition to digital 
television ought not to be jeopardized by 
introducing risky technology that has proven to be unworkable."

The FCC in late July said the coalition's first 
device did not reliably detect unoccupied 
spectrum and could interfere with other TV 
programming and wireless microphone signals.

In that case, Microsoft said the device was 
simply broken and failed to work. This time 
around the company said the device lost power 
after continual testing and insists it's not a setback.

"The power issue is unrelated to the technology 
points we're trying to prove," said Ferrell.

The FCC contacted the coalition Wednesday after 
the device lost power, but Ferrell said once the 
device cooled down it started to work again 
properly. In the meantime, the FCC began testing 
on a second identical device submitted by Microsoft.

Edmond Thomas, who represents the technology 
coalition, said there is no correlation between a 
test device and a final commercial product, which would address power issues.

He said NAB's comments were "absurd and extreme."

The coalition contends transmitting high-speed 
Internet service over unused TV airwaves, also 
known as "white spaces," could make it more 
accessible and affordable, especially in rural areas.

Any such device wouldn't be available until the 
country's switch to digital TV a year from now.

The FCC last month said it will conduct a second 
round of tests in laboratory and real-world 
conditions, which could take up to three months. 
It plans to issue a report six weeks after the testing ends.

The agency is also testing other white-space 
devices submitted by Motorola Inc. and Adaptrum, 
a Mountain View, Calif.-based startup.


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