FCC opens rulemaking to address white space geolocation questions. Everybody interested in 600 MHz – whether broadcasters sweating the repacking process, carriers planning to bid on new spectrum, or one of the many other current spectrum users wondering what the future will look like – share a common concern: How will the FCC ensure that the millions of unlicensed wireless devices expected to operate in the band won’t cause havoc? In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order (NPRM) the FCC is proposing a number of measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of any problems. The Commission devised a plan in 2008 to allow unlicensed wireless devices to operate on spectrum referred to as “white spaces” – that is, available channels in the television bands where television stations are not operating. (Those in need of a refresher can consult my colleague Peter Tannenwald’s 2010 blog post here.) Fearing interference, broadcasters challenged…
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