Fifth “White Space” Coordinator Begins Tests

LS telcom AG seeks to join the two coordinators operating and two others awaiting approval.

TV “white space” devices operate on TV channels that are vacant in a given area. (On a map of frequency usage, these areas show up in white; hence the name.)

These devices must avoid causing interference to active TV stations, certain wireless microphones, and certain TV reception sites. To accomplish this, most are required to consult a complex and changing database that shows where they can safely operate.

The FCC has identified ten administrators for the database, expected to operate competitively. Before receiving FCC approval, each candidate must run a live test of its operations, submit test reports to the FCC, and survive public comment.

We here in the CommLawBlog bunker have covered developments on the white space database coordination front for several years. Most recently, those developments have been somewhat repetitive and our posts were all starting to look the same. We tried to mix things up a bit with poetry (limericks! a haiku!) . . . but soon found the limit to our poetic abilities.

So here’s what we plan to do going forward.

The table below reflects all the would-be database coordinators and all the steps on the way to FCC approval. Each time there is a new development, we will post an updated version of the table. Dates in the table reflect the dates of the FCC public notices relevant to the particular event. Clicking on a date brings up the respective public notice. The date shown in bold face red will always be the most recent event. 

Prosaic, perhaps, but far less taxing on our limited creative resources and, in the end, probably a more useful way of keeping our readers abreast of the overall database coordinator scene. 

[Blogmeister’s Note: We are hoping to work a deal with somebody (are you listening, Starbucks and Chipotle?) so that, when the table has been completely filled up, our readers will be able to print it out and present it for a free cup of coffee or maybe a burrito.  Check back here for updates.]