Illuminate the Wireless Magic - RCA 2010 Recap

Last week, we attended the Rural Cellular Association’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas to showcase TV White Spaces and its potential for mobile applications. Among the many questions we received regarding our deployed experimental networks and TV White Spaces, one question was clearly on everyone’s mind:

“How will the availability of TV White Spaces change the marketplace?”
As the wireless marketplace continues to grow and evolve from traditional voice services to a complex ecosystem supporting Smartphones and an array of mobile applications, carriers are beginning to realize that innovation is necessary to meet the growing demands for bandwidth. Network expansion is key to the success of these companies. However, with a finite amount of spectrum available, and an exponential demand for bandwidth, carriers are left with very few cost-effective options.

The National Broadband Plan addresses this dilemma of spectrum availability and has made several propositions to ensure that the wireless marketplace can support this demand. In Section 5.12 of the NBP, the FCC references TV White Spaces stating that: “The FCC should move expeditiously to conclude the TV White Spaces proceeding.” The availability of TV White Spaces will provide a cost-effective alternative; giving carriers, private enterprises, utilities, and others the opportunity to expand or deploy networks to fulfill this growing demand.

Favorable propagation characteristics and low cost of deployment makes TV White Spaces a great solution for a multitude of applications such as rural broadband, telemetry, SCADA, Smart City and Smart Grid solutions. While the FCC continues to finalize the rules for TV White Spaces and deliberate on who will be named TV White Space Database Providers, it is important to realize that early adopters of this innovative technology will be able to capitalize on the vast market opportunities that lie ahead. Follow our success with our initial TV White Spaces network deployments in Claudville, VA and Wilmington/New Hanover County, NC. To learn more about TV White Spaces, read our FAQ doc.

- Sheri Ridenour, Senior Account Manager

SBI Supports the FCC's Broadband Plan

On March 16th, the FCC fulfilled its Congressional mandate with the long awaited release of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). The plan specifies a number of goals and objectives to meet the nation’s broadband needs over the next ten years. A number of the recommendations relate to spectrum and the use of wireless technology in support of these goals. Spectrum Bridge is uniquely positioned to provide the technology and solutions to support these recommendations.

RECOMMENDATION 4.1 states “the federal government, including the FCC, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Congress, should make more spectrum available for existing and new wireless broadband providers in order to foster additional wireless-wireline competition at higher speed tiers.”

SBI’s Spectrum Exchange creates a single point for anyone to locate and access available spectrum, helping to foster competition in the industry, while allowing for better utilization of bandwidth through a multitude of spectrum allocation solutions.

RECOMMENDATION 5.7 states “the FCC should evaluate the effectiveness of its secondary markets policies and rules to promote access to unused and underutilized spectrum.”

The FCC should complete its assessment of potential barriers by the end of 2010; however, today Spectrum Bridge is uniquely positioned to help the FCC in this goal, as we already are the “biggest and best secondary marketplace for spectrum”, as defined by our innovative Spectrum Exchange tool.

RECOMMENDATION 5.12 in section 5.6 states “the FCC should move expeditiously to conclude the TV white spaces proceeding.” Additionally, Spectrum Bridge’s wireless network architecture technology was referenced “to provide broadband service to a school in rural Virginia and are currently being used for demonstration of a wireless broadband network in Wilmington, North Carolina.”

Stay up to date with SBI's future white space network deployments as we continue to explore new applications for TV White Spaces spectrum to help support the FCC's goals.

RECOMMENDATION 5.13 states “the FCC should spur further development and deployment of opportunistic uses across more radio spectrum.”

SBI’s use of cognitive networking technology to more effectively access, acquire and manage wireless spectrum and network assets supports the FCC’s vision. Otherwise known as Universal Spectrum Access (USA), our solution provides access to bandwidth through available networks within the range of their device whether using a Smartphone, netbook, or laptop.

With technology becoming an everyday part of our lives, nationwide broadband access is becoming more critical. As FCC Chairman Genachowski mentions in this interview with CitizenTube, broadband is a key infrastructure for the 21st century. The FCC’s bold vision for the future of broadband validates the core concepts that have driven our own innovations here at Spectrum Bridge. Our cognitive networking technology provides the capability to increase the availability and access to spectrum and network resources while optimizing the allocation of bandwidth within the network gives our customers an effective tool for their next generation wireless needs.

The FCC’s vision for the future of broadband is a major turning point for our industry, as demands for this finite resource continue to grow by leaps and bounds, it is encouraging to see the government address the broadband needs of our country to help foster innovation, productivity and growth. As the plan awaits scrutiny from Congress, and new rulemakings go into effect over the coming months in response to the plan’s recommendations, we look forward to utilizing our tools and resources to help implement the long term goals of the FCC.

- Joe Hamilla, COO