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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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February
11, 2008
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Dennis
Wharton
202-429-5350
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NEW
MICROSOFT UNLICENSED DEVICE FAILS
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"It just stopped working," says Microsoft rep --
WASHINGTON,
DC -- A new prototype 'white space' device tested by the Federal Communications
Commission last week failed, losing power during the FCC's second round
of testing. The incident follows a July
2007 FCC report, which concluded that sample prototype 'white space'
devices did not accurately detect broadcast signals and caused interference
to TV broadcasting and wireless microphones.
"They
were running some tests on it, and it just stopped working," Ian
Ferrell, director of wireless incubation for Microsoft, told TRDaily,
which first reported the device failure late Friday. The full text
from TRDaily is below. The power failure was also vaguely addressed
in a February
7 ex parte filed by Edmond Thomas, senior technology policy
adviser to the White Spaces Coalition.
Commenting
on the matter, NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton said, "By
failing two out of two tests at the FCC, Microsoft and the Wireless Innovation
Alliance have demonstrated that unlicensed 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. Completing a successful transition
to digital television ought not be jeopardized by introducing risky technology
that has proven to be unworkable."
Meanwhile,
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) authored
an op-ed published in The New York Times Saturday, expressing
his concern over the use of unlicensed, personal-portable devices in spectrum
designated for broadcast TV.
"Unlicensed
devices, like wireless laptops and remote-controlled toys, operating in
the white spaces will probably cause havoc to TV viewers, theater goers
and sports fans," wrote Nadler. "While we should encourage technical
developments, we should urge the F.C.C. to proceed with caution. We cannot
let these new developments undermine television service or hurt key sectors
of our entertainment industry."
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TRDaily
MICROSOFT ‘WHITE SPACES’ DEVICE LOSES POWER
A Microsoft Corp. prototype unlicensed device the FCC used as part
of the second round of its TV “white spaces” testing lost
power, forcing the agency to instead use a second, identical device.
In an ex parte filing yesterday in Engineering and Technology docket
04-186, Edmond Thomas, senior technology policy adviser to the White
Spaces Coalition, said the “final production devices will address
power issues thoroughly while the test devices were built largely
to demonstrate detection and protection capabilities.”
“They were running some tests on it, and it just stopped working,”
Ian Ferrell, director-wireless incubation for Microsoft, told TRDaily
today. Mr. Thomas said the devices submitted to the FCC are only
“test vehicles so they can establish their rules,” adding
they “have no resemblance” to devices that will be marketed,
which he noted will have to be certified by the FCC.
Microsoft said a device that fared poorly during the first round
of FCC tests last year had a damaged scanner.
-- Paul Kirby
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To date,
70 lawmakers have expressed concern over the use of unlicensed personal-portable
devices in the broadcast spectrum, including:
About
NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates
on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations
and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications
Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
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