Nation’s First White Spaces Network Deployed in Rural Virginia

On October 21st, a group of industry and public leaders announced that the town of Claudville, Virginia is the first community in America to use TV white spaces to deliver broadband connectivity to local residents, businesses and students.

The white spaces network, designed and deployed by Spectrum Bridge is providing the “middle mile” link between the wired backhaul and the WiFi hot spot networks deployed in Claudville’s business area as well as the school. The same network is also providing last mile broadband connectivity directly to residential users.

Dell and Microsoft donated state of the art computers, internet video equipment and software to insure the students and community could make the most of the high speed internet system. In order to prevent inference with TV broadcasters and other protected users, the radios in Claudville are managed by Spectrum Bridge's white spaces database. This database assigns non-interfering frequencies to the radios, and can adapt in real time to new TV broadcasts.

To announce this first ever white spaces network, students, business and community leaders in Claudville were connected to government and industry leaders in Washington D.C. via a live video conference over the white spaces network link connected to the Trinity Christian school in Claudville.

In Washington, DC

Over 50 representatives from the FCC, national media, congressional offices and other VIPs gathered in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Congressman Rick Boucher explained how white spaces could be used to cross the digital divide and what getting high-speed connectivity meant to the residents of Claudville and how it could benefit other rural communities in his district and around the country. Representatives from Dell, Microsoft, Spectrum Bridge and the TDF Foundation also addressed the standing room only crowd that included FCC Commissioners Michael J. Copps and Meredith Attwell Baker.

The entire proceeding in Washington DC was broadcast live to the Trinity school in Claudville via the White Spaces network and once the speakers in D.C. were finished, the same video link enabled the speakers in Claudville to address everyone gathered in the Rayburn building.

In Claudville, VA

An assembly was held at Trinity Christian School, with the entire student body in attendance. Representatives from Congressman Boucher's office and well as the Virginia Governor's office were also present. Business and community leaders stressed how the country cannot afford to leave rural communities out of the Internet revolution and that white spaces could be used to economically close the growing "digital divide."

Jerry Whitlow, administrator of the school, explained how he would use the new equipment and high speed connectivity for distance learning both for his students and the community at large. Roger Haden, Chairman of the Patrick County Broadband Task Force, told how broadband could help fuel economic growth and improve the quality of life for Claudville residents.

News of the nation’s first white spaces network spread quickly throughout tech publications. Below is a small sampling of organizations who picked up the story; look for more to appear soon:

Ars Technica

FierceWireless

GigaOM

MIT Technology Review

RCR Wireless

Urgent Communications

Spectrum Bridge replies to FCC’s NOI on Wireless Innovation and the National Broadband Plan

With the ratification of the FCC Chairman, commissioners and other key personnel complete, the commission has embarked on a series of inquiries to determine the policy and direction the FCC will take over the next four years. One NOI (pdf) on Investment and Innovation was atypical, referencing Spectrum Bridge by name when discussing secondary markets. Because of the unique areas of interest contained in this NOI (pdf), we felt compelled to provide our insight to the commission. In our response, we addressed several key points:

• Accurate, Complete Spectrum Databases are Necessary for Efficient Spectrum Acquisition
• The TV White Space Database Can Lead to Dynamic Spectrum Allocation
• The Commission should educate the market, in part, through website enhancements that highlight the capabilities of spectrum coordination and secondary markets, as well as provide references to companies that are involved
• Much of the innovation in the wireless industry comes from small companies or those outside the wireless industry, neither of which can compete in a high stakes auction for large swaths of spectrum against entrenched incumbents
• There is no reason that a secondary market would devalue spectrum as an asset –it is just as likely to improve the value
• Spectrum Bridge urged the Commission to foster wireless innovation by facilitating the development of a vibrant and dynamic secondary spectrum market

For the full text of our NOI response please click here (pdf).

Nearly 100 companies provided input and insight to the FCC on this NOI, many of whom supported our overall objectives and some, including Verizon and CTIA, specifically referenced examples of how Spectrum Bridge is taking a leadership position and making the secondary market for spectrum in to a reality.

New Online Spectrum Management Tool Unveiled

Spectrum Bridge's newly-released "SmartWaves" allows businesses to effectively measure the utilization, performance and financial returns of their spectrum.

The “Software as a Service” (SaS) subscription platform integrates user specified data with FCC’s ULS system; creating a comprehensive, central repository of powerful, customized intelligence.

“This is the newest product for our customers and resellers that furthers our mission of transforming spectrum into a more accessible, productive and valuable resource for everyone,” said Richard Licursi, Spectrum Bridge CEO. “SmartWaves turns organizations’ spectrum assets into an integral component of their business opportunities, a benefit that is rapidly resonating with wireless professionals. By highlighting the market value and financial metrics of spectrum, SmartWaves is becoming a critical aspect of the wireless business planning process for delivering new technologies and advanced communication systems.”

“Anyone who needs to move beyond manually compiling and analyzing data on spreadsheets will appreciate SmartWaves as a replacement or enhancement to their existing system,” said Joe Caron, of Atlantic Communications Inc. “It was the Business Analytics that sold us, however. When we saw the demo we were impressed most by the market intelligence SmartWaves provides. With SmartWaves, we can now view our current spectrum market valuations down to the county level and graphically analyze competitors’ spectrum positions. That information is invaluable for an industry as competitive as ours.”

SmartWaves' easy to use interface enables users to instantaneously create cogent, graphical views and reports of their spectrum, network assets, and the marketplace that enhance strategic analysis and decision making for improved ROI.

For more information or to request a complimentary demonstration of SmartWaves, call Spectrum Bridge @ 407-792-1570, Ext. 510

Mission Critical Communication's Spectrum Alternatives Article

RadioResource's Mission Critical Communications August issue showcased a Spectrum Alternatives piece derived from Spectrum Bridge's “Part 90 Spectrum Scarcity” white paper. The article discusses how public safety entities may use frequencies commonly thought of as off-limits for certain applications.

In an example, Tillamook, Oregon had to obtain dedicated frequencies for their primary responders; they found exactly what they were looking for not in Part 90 spectrum, but in Part 22 and Part 24 channels.

The article takes up almost four pages in the printed version of the magazine, and is a great example of how the industry is utilizing Spectrum Bridge’s expertise to educate wireless audiences.

To view the online, digital version of the magazine, click here; see page 34 for the "Spectrum Alternatives" article.

Spectrum Bridge Surpasses $8 million in Spectrum Transactions, Forecasts Robust Growth

This week we announced several significant second quarter milestones, including over $8 million in secondary spectrum market transactions and related services on SpecEx.com. SpecEx has amassed a growing inventory including somewhere around three billion MHz pops, or nearly 5% the total available market in spectrum coverage. This represents over 2,200 call signs and scores of spectrum holders, making it the single largest, non-carrier aggregator of spectrum nationwide.

Launches of additional member services and resources, including the SpecEx Spectrum Index®, spectrum valuations, as well as partnering and networking services through a growing ecosystem have also made it the largest online community of spectrum professionals.

Recent testimonials include:

SpecEx.com member Jerry Wilke, president of the Rural Telecommunications Group said “Spectrum Bridge simplified the process of finding the right spectrum to expand my clients’ and RTG members’ wireless networks. I was able to quickly search through hundreds of millions of dollars worth of available spectrum and find exactly what my clients needed. People have been talking about the need for an online spectrum marketplace for years. Spectrum Bridge has delivered a powerful solution that works.”

“SpecEx is the go-to place for spectrum,” said Bob Metcalf, senior director of technology management at MidAmerican Energy. “In addition to their online tools, they have a knowledgeable team of professionals who deliver a high degree of service and expertise. This is precisely the kind of solution busy utility operations like ours need to help advance important initiatives for efficient service delivery.”

Visit SpecEx.com to see our latest upgrades.

Agencies in Close Alignment on Regulatory Strategy & LTE Technology Choice for D Block Interoperability

A few months ago, Steve Zipperstein (pictured) of Verizon Wireless spoke in Washington DC on canceling the proposed auction for the D-block and combining it with the adjacent 10 MHz already licensed to the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST). The presentation called for allocating the D-Block to First Responders to facilitate the deployment of an interoperable network. Verizon also offered up its backhaul and back-end systems to support a public safety network using the spectrum. Prior to the Verizon speech, AT&T Wireless had already been floating the same idea.

In May, a group of eight public safety organizations got together and endorsed a similar plan. More recently APCO and NENA issued a joint release citing LTE as their recommended technology choice for D-block networks.

Andrew Seybold wrote in a recent article that “for the first time, the public safety community could have the upper hand.” Clearly getting to this position was the result of hard work and consensus by numerous agencies and organizations. Andy’s piece offers an in-depth analysis of where things stand today and how we got here.

Read the Seybold article here>>

Genachowski Picks Retired Admiral to Head Public Safety, Homeland Security Bureau

Admiral Jamie Barnett (ret.) has been chosen to lead the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB). "I am delighted that Admiral Barnett, with his broad and deep experience with public safety issues and familiarity with the concerns of state and local governments, will be joining the agency," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

Admiral Barnett’s 32 year military career included the roles of Deputy Commander of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and Director of Naval Education and Training at the Pentagon.

In his civilian life, Mr. Barnett advised and represented government officials as an attorney in state and federal courts over an eighteen year career of private practice. Clients included cities, counties, school districts, law enforcement agencies and development authorities.

Along with the Barnett announcement, Genachowki also named David Furth and Jennifer Manner as Deputy Chiefs of the PSHSB.

Read more at Radio Resource Group's Website.