WASHINGTON, DC -- Broadcast groups and networks today filed an Emergency Request with the FCC urging the agency to follow its own standard practice and seek comment on a technical report released Wednesday by the Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology. The report, which details interference test data for several prototype 'white space' devices, contains findings conclusively demonstrating that unlicensed devices relying solely on spectrum sensing threaten the viability of clear TV reception.
"Simply put, until two days ago, it has been the Commission's practice to adopt rules based on complex data only after allowing the public an opportunity to comment on that data," the broadcasters stated. "Failure to provide adequate opportunity for public comment on information so central to the outcome of this proceeding raises serious questions about compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act."
Citing a 2002 FCC matter regarding the operation of Part 15 unlicensed devices, today's filing also pointed to a statement made by then-Commissioner Kevin Martin, highlighting his historic support for seeking public comment on key reports prior to taking action. "This item is based around several recommendations of the Commission's Spectrum Policy Task Force Report," then-Commissioner Martin said. "If... the Task Force's work was instrumental to this item, it would make more sense to wait for comment on the Report before proceeding."
The filing also noted similar sentiments made by FCC Commissioner Copps.
"At the end of the day, process matters. Public comment matters. Taking the time to do things right matters," Commissioner Copps said in 2007.
Today's filing, submitted by NAB, the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV), ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), also took issue with the OET report's conclusions. "While the below-signed parties have only begun to review the report, it is already clear that the OET report's conclusions are not supported and are in fact contradicted by the underlying data," the filing stated.
In addition
to broadcasters, numerous other groups have expressed concern over the
interference causing devices, including sports leagues, Broadway theater
groups, cable operators and networks, wireless microphone manufacturers,
religious groups and 70 lawmakers.
A July
2007 FCC report concluded that sample prototype 'white space' devices
did not accurately detect broadcast signals and caused interference to
TV broadcasting and wireless microphones. That setback was followed by
a February
2008 power failure, in which a Microsoft representative admitted that
their prototype device "just stopped working."
In March, another
Microsoft device "unexpectedly
shut down," according to a Microsoft press release.
To date, 70 lawmakers have expressed concern over the use of unlicensed personal-portable devices in the broadcast spectrum, including:
|
Senator Mary
Landrieu (D-LA) Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Senator Pete V. Domenici (R-NM) Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) Rep. J. Gresham Barrett (R-SC) Rep. Henry E. Brown (R-SC) Rep. David Davis (R-TN) Rep. Ric Keller (R-FL) Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) Rep. Vito J. Fossella (R-NY) Rep. Eliot L. Engel (D-NY) Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) Rep. Howard P. McKeon (R-CA) Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA) Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-GA) Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR) Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN) Rep. David Scott (D-GA) Rep. John Barrow (D-GA) Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC) Rep. Walter Jones, Jr. (R-NC) Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC) Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) Rep. Melvin Watt (D-NC) |
Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-NC) Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) Rep. David Price (D-NC) Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC) Rep. Gene Green (D-TX) Rep. Ralph Hall (D-TX) Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-TX) Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX) Rep. John Carter (R-TX) Rep. Al Green (D-TX) Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) Rep. Dave Hobson (R-OH) Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-OH) Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-OH) Rep. Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA) Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) Rep. David Scott (D-GA) Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) Rep. Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R-GA) Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA) Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL) Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) Rep. Jon Porter (R-NV) Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV) Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) Rep. Michael Michaud (D-ME) Rep. Tom Allen (D-ME) Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) |
About
NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association
for America's broadcasters. As the voice of more than 8,300 radio and
television stations, NAB advances their interests in legislative, regulatory
and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables
broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses
and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.
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