Coming Soon - FCC to Deliver Final Rules for TV White Spaces

TV White Spaces, the unlicensed spectrum between television bands, has been a hot topic since the switch from analog to digital TV back in June 2009. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, author Amy Schatz says “Technology and telecommunications companies could soon get access to unused TV airwaves, allowing them to introduce new wireless gadgets and services, under rules that Federal Communications Commission officials are close to putting into final form.” The FCC is expected to vote on the "TV White Spaces Second Memorandum Opinion and Order" on September 23, 2010.

The announcement is long overdue for industry stakeholders such as broadcasters and wireless providers who have been waiting for the FCC to open up the access to this unlicensed spectrum since 2002. Industry leaders such as Cisco and Motorola will now have the ability to certify devices that can operate in these frequencies, ultimately leading the way for the first commercial launch of the TV White Spaces marketplace.

Allowing the spectrum to be delivered on an unlicensed basis allows companies to further demonstrate alternative solutions to alleviating the “spectrum scarcity” issue facing the wireless industry, while still helping to achieve the goals of the National Broadband Plan. The TV White Spaces frequencies will need to be managed by a database that ensures devices will not interfere among one another. Database driven networks open the door for innovative solutions regarding the acquisition and distribution of spectrum assets. For more information on spectrum sharing through databases, click here.

Spectrum Bridge has already demonstrated three of the nation’s first network trials that are still fully operable on experimental licenses from the FCC. The first network was deployed in Claudvile, Virginia and provided broadband access to residents and businesses in the community. The second deployment in Wilmington, North Carolina, demonstrated that the unlicensed spectrum can be used to further enhance “Smart City” applications such as remote water monitoring, security and Wi-Fi access to the city park, as well as traffic monitoring for public safety. The third trial was launched in Plumas-Sierra County exhibiting the usability of this spectrum for "Smart Grid" applications. To read the success stories highlighting the applications used in each of the three network trials mentioned, click here.

Be sure to check back next week for information on a fourth network launch using the unlicensed TV White Spaces spectrum.

- Andrew Pielack

Andrew Seybold helps validate Intelligent Spectrum Management using TV White Spaces

In a recently released whitepaper, Andrew Seybold, a leading authority on technology and trends shaping the world of wireless mobility, discusses his views on the availability of additional spectrum for wireless broadband communications. The whitepaper provides insights on the total addressable market for Intelligent Spectrum Management, which utilizes databases to manage spectrum sharing technologies for both licensed and unlicensed spectrum.

Using a database approach to assign devices to particular frequencies “makes a lot of sense” says Seybold. Rather than additional technology having to be built into each new radio, “the system relies on database technology that can track spectrum in a given area and assign spectrum for systems that require communications on an as-needed basis.” This is the very same approach that Spectrum Bridge is currently demonstrating in three separate experimental trials in the U.S. utilizing unlicensed TV White Spaces spectrum.

As stated in the Rysavy Research Industry Report, the demand for spectrum will soon exceed network capacity for wireless carriers. Seybold reiterates this view stating “the wide-area networks will not be able to meet the demand of the coming years.” However, he believes that TV White Spaces can be used to help alleviate and off-set some of the network traffic, “This new spectrum provides the ideal platform for longer-range, but still local, wireless broadband services and will be used for bridging gaps between wired, cable, and fiber connections and locations that cannot be economically served by either wide-area or Wi-Fi systems.” In addition to alleviating network traffic, TV White Spaces can help to provide additional services to unserved and underserved communities, supporting the FCC National Broadband Plan to provide rural America with broadband access.

What appears to be most intriguing is that the central database approach to spectrum management goes above and beyond the TV White Spaces by using database architecture that can essentially evolve to support both unlicensed and licensed spectrum. For more information about Spectrum Bridge and multiple spectrum sharing technologies, click here.

-Christian Duffus

Spectrum Bridge Database Solution facilitates Spectrum sharing in 5GHz Band

Spectrum Bridge has partnered with the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) creating the UNII Device Interference Advisor (UDIA). The UDIA is a spectrum database solution that provides network operators in the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII) frequencies (5.47-5.725 GHz) an easy way to search and find whether their towers potentially interfere with Terminal Doppler Weather Radar (TDWR) systems.

There are currently 47 TDWR systems located nationwide; operators and installers are being encouraged to voluntarily register and manage their device information in the online database. UDIA was developed to promote cooperation between the federal agencies including the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the wireless industry and to ensure the safe and interference free operation of the FAA’s TDWR network.

Mitigating interference issues between unlicensed wireless devices operating in a frequency band shared with TDWRs makes available approximately 300 MHz of previously unusable spectrum. Efficiently sharing this spectrum not only helps meet the demands outlined in the FCC National Broadband Plan, it also supports Spectrum Bridge’s Universal Spectrum Access vision. Additionally, equipment manufacturers and the wireless industry may also look ahead to the certification of new U-NII equipment. For more information on the release of the database powered by Spectrum Bridge, click here.

- Peter Stanforth, CTO

Connecting America through Technology

As the FCC begins to take on the action items from the National Broadband Plan, it is clear to see that we are making some progress towards fulfilling the four key goal areas (View progress on the Proposed 2010 Key Broadband Action Agenda Items):

• Maximizing consumer benefit and fostering competition
• Creating strong and secure public safety communications networks
• Accelerating Universal Broadband Access and adoption
• Promoting broadband infrastructure and innovation

The president’s commitment to make available 500 MHz of Federal and commercial spectrum over the next 10 years is a positive step towards building the necessary infrastructure needed to connect the country. Although this spectrum will certainly help to offload the demand for bandwidth over the next 10 years, will it be enough to keep up with the demand from new devices on the market?

In this age of smartphones, netbooks and other innovative wireless devices, demand for bandwidth is at an all time high. Some estimates indicate that over the next five years we will see an increase in wireless data between 20 and 45 times 2009 levels. In order to meet the growing demand for spectrum, it is necessary to seek out a hybrid solution – combining more efficient spectrum use and technology to cost-efficiently address the issue of spectrum scarcity.

In a fact sheet from the White House, it states: “… new technologies have the potential to free up spectrum from many of its existing uses. In combination with regulatory changes, new and emerging technologies can facilitate the repackaging, reallocation, and even sharing of spectrum. Reallocating spectrum to its most valuable use promises to be a win-win effort – creating value that not only spurs new innovations and creates new jobs, but also benefits existing spectrum users by allowing them to raise funds for transformative new investments.”

Spectrum Bridge is leading the way in terms of bringing new technology to the market to help foster innovation and to provide broadband solutions to previously unserved and underserved areas. As we deploy trial white space networks to demonstrate the capabilities of TV white spaces spectrum, we continue to realize the potential of this newly available spectrum. This month, our COO, Joe Hamilla will be presenting at the IEEE 802.19 Wireless Coexistence Working Group meeting to present our experiences with deploying trial TV White Spaces networks. Check back soon for his insights from this workshop!

Richard Licursi, CEO

TV White Spaces Summit - Recap

On June 15th, 2010, the Wireless Innovation Forum hosted a TV White Spaces Summit in Washington DC. Sponsored by Spectrum Bridge, Inc and TV Band Service, the event was well represented by key industry stakeholders. The meeting opened with a keynote by the Honorable Meredith Attwell Baker. Her message was clear stating that, “TV White Spaces could afford even greater promise to open doors to further innovation” and that she hoped, “we will be able to come together on these issues as well – sooner rather than later.”

The informative assembly included topics such as Commercialization Status, Applications Focus, Database Focus, Component Vendors, and proposed Changes to Current TV White Space rules. Some of the issues brought up for discussion included sensing requirements and its effect on the cost of consumer devices, the coexistence of wireless microphones and TV White Spaces, and finally, the timeframe for the FCC’s deliberation of White Space regulations and database management providers. The major concern is that while the market is ready, the FCC’s lengthy deliberation will cost TV White Space innovators their valuable position as leaders in the global marketplace for TV White Spaces. Commissioner Baker mentioned this predicament in her keynote, stating that, “In addition I find it a little ironic, and a little regretful, that other regulators, notably in the EU, as well as in countries like Singapore, are poised to act in an area where we once took the lead but have not been able to act since.”

The sense of urgency for the FCC rules to be finalized regarding TV White Spaces was also highlighted in a letter to the FCC on Monday by Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) urging the FCC to “prioritize action on white spaces”. Their letter went on to say, “As you know, spectrum below 1 Gigahertz is both scarce and valuable…Due to the propagation characteristics of the frequencies, unlicensed broadband devices will be able to cover a far wider service area in rural areas than the range in which unlicensed devices operate today thus providing an opportunity to narrow the ‘digital divide’ that unfortunately continues to exist.” At the Summit, WISPA gave a statistic that 50% of their community cannot be serviced today due to geographic limitations such as trees, dense foliage, and mountainous terrains. They also spoke of the new “digital divide” in which urban populations today benefit from having unlimited broadband access for streaming video, social networking, research, education, etc, while rural populations have limited access to broadband and can only do certain things like check email or surf the web. While rural broadband and narrowing the digital divide is just one example of the need for broadband, it has become more clear that TV White Spaces can help fill the gap.

Community leaders from the deployed white spaces network in Wilmington/New Hanover County, NC, Mayor Bill Saffo and Chairman Jason Thompson, were also in attendance to share their insights and experiences. Mayor Saffo of Wilmington stated that the major benefit he sees regarding TV White Spaces availability is in regards to the Public Safety sector. Public safety is the biggest cost to Wilmington at 80% of the general fund budget. However, TV White Spaces have allowed the city to more effectively manage and allocate their resources on a federal, state and local level through the use of streaming live video to help monitor events in the community. Jason Thompson, Chairman of the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners reiterated the benefits that TV White Spaces has had on their community, allowing them to safely monitor their parks and significantly reduce energy costs in excess of $800,000 annually.
In addition to various panels throughout the Summit, Julius P. Knapp II, Chief of the FCC’s Office of Engineering & Technology, reiterated the Commission’s progress in finalizing the rules and database applicant’s for TV White Spaces. As planned, the FCC will be meeting in the third quarter to discuss concerns brought up over sensing and wireless microphones and to finalize TVWS regulations.

Stay tuned for video clips from the Summit!

- Joe Hamilla, COO

The Message is Clear - More Spectrum Needed

Last week, Spectrum Bridge attended the CTIA Wireless exhibition in Las Vegas, NV. The prevailing message at CTIA this year was “more spectrum” in coherence with the National Broadband Plan, from femtocells to the allocation of additional spectrum bands by the FCC. The demand for spectrum extends far past the wireless industry – it is evidenced by many of the markets we serve, including: rural, municipalities, utilities, railways, and application developers. As the demand for broadband grows, along with the number of private networks, high bandwidth applications, and next generation devices; the need for maximizing spectrum access, allocation, and availability becomes key. This message is very much in line with our belief at Spectrum Bridge, Inc. (“SBI”) that demand for Broadband access is insatiable and in order to keep up with the ever-increasing demand, we must provide alternative solutions to alleviate spectrum scarcity and increase spectrum efficiency.

Attending the Andrew Seybold Awards dinner honoring the most innovative companies contributing wireless mobility products and concepts, was exciting for us to see how far the wireless industry has come and the limitless possibilities ahead of us. We were excited to receive the award for “Most Innovative Mobile Technology of 2010” for our TV White Spaces Network, as it validates the importance of our work with TV White Spaces to help support the FCC’s goals of providing more Broadband access nationwide. As the FCC noted in the NBP, our trial networks in Claudville, VA and Wilmington/New Hanover County, NC have demonstrated the promise and potential for TV white space spectrum. As we continue to perfect our skills in the TV White Spaces arena and develop new technology and software to help accommodate the growing demand for spectrum, we are excited about the future of this industry and our involvement in it.

Chris Duffus
CFO

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

Alternative Spectrum Solutions - Providing Nationwide Broadband Access

Among the flurry of discussion surrounding the FCC’s National Broadband Plan to be released next week, two issues as previously outlined by Julius Genachowski, chairman of the FCC, have received a great deal of attention within the industry. The first being the goal of boosting national access speeds to 100 Mbps for 100 million homes by 2020, and the second goal of freeing up 500 MHz of spectrum over the next decade by allowing broadcast television stations to sell some of their spectrum for mobile broadband purposes. While neither has been set in stone, the costs associated with these goals have been enough to spark heated discussions and commentary on blogs and articles over the past few weeks.

In an article from 4GWE, the estimated combined costs of these goals will take an investment of up to $500 billion. While this is no small number, the benefits of these two aspects of the plan are enormous – bringing broadband capabilities to every corner of the country will provide new opportunities to millions of Americans. Broadband has become a necessity in this day and age to enable more Americans to stay connected to the ever-changing world around them. However, as found in the Broadband Adoption and Use in America study by the FCC, 35% of Americans do not have broadband at home, with the top reason for non-adoption being cost – whether it be the cost of services, computers, installation fees, or a combination of all three.

Spectrum Bridge’s White Spaces Database is Helping Make North Carolina Safer, Greener

Spectrum Bridge and the City of Wilmington, North Carolina just added another technology “first” to their lists.

Today, we joined together in a public-private partnership with the County of New Hanover and TV Band Service to announce the launch of the nation’s first “Smart City” services powered by TV white spaces. Spectrum Bridge’s white spaces database and software are at the heart of this network, controlling and managing the frequencies accessed by the various applications.

You may recall that Wilmington was the test bed for the national digital TV transition, which freed up white spaces for use, and Spectrum Bridge deployed the white spaces database-driven network employing those frequencies for the first time last October.

Spectrum Bridge’s database and software are now helping white spaces power traffic monitoring on one of Wilmington's busiest thoroughfares, Martin Luther King Parkway. Traffic cameras are currently providing much needed safety for many cities throughout the US. In Wilmington, white spaces are delivering wireless traffic safety for daily commuters (and in the event of a hurricane evacuation) in a very green way: Laying fiber in this environmentally protected area would have been cost-prohibitive.

Meanwhile, across town, this white spaces test network is providing environmental monitoring, with real time wireless reporting and measurements of water levels. Previously this was a manual process, where employees had to drive to the locations and wade into the water to access level readings. Costs to perform this task made this a monthly effort. The white spaces test network will save the local government (and taxpayers) money in data collection, and provide for faster identification and mitigation of problems.

In addition, visitors of the County’s Hugh MacRae Park are now enjoying WiFi access -- and the peace of mind that comes with security monitoring of playgrounds and ball fields – all thanks to white spaces. You can read more about this success story here.

On hand to celebrate the event today were North Carolina’s Lt. Governor Walter Dalton, New Hanover County Chairman Jason Thompson, and Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo – as well as a large group of Mayors from all over the state of North Carolina.

Rick Rotondo, Spectrum Bridge co-founder and CMO extended our thanks to the many forward-thinking partners who brought this test network to fruition at today's event. “We are proud to have provided the technology and know-how for these visionary public and private business leaders to turn their ideas into tangible benefits,” he told the crowd of 130 gathered at Screen Gems Studios. “They know the white spaces opportunity is unique in that it lets them be cost-effective and environmentally conscious while delivering new services to the community.”

Additional services for this test network already in the planning process include the remote monitoring of at risk patients at home (which will result in speedier delivery of care and fewer emergency room visits) and for utilities equipment monitoring to provide energy reduction and cost savings.

I was privileged to be on site for Spectrum Bridge's white spaces trial network launches in Claudville and Wilmington, and have seen the impact they are already having on these communities first hand.

Wilmington is far more urban than Claudville, but the benefits of white spaces for both communities (while different) cannot be overstated. And the appreciation and sense of partnership in both communities has been inspiring.

For us at Spectrum Bridge, white spaces represent more than just being “first”, or a great vehicle for demonstrating our database driven spectrum allocation technology.

White spaces have enabled us to deploy test networks that are already helping to bridge the digital divide and bring much needed services to some terrific people in two beautiful communities.

And that feels pretty good.

- Beverly Lambright

Will Two New Spectrum Bills Identify More Spectrum for Americans?

Last week, the House Communications Subcommittee approved two bills that are critical steps in uncovering more of one of our most precious natural resources: radio spectrum. (A companion bill sponsored by Senate Commerce Communications Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., is pending.) These bills are more than just good news for the wireless industry; they’re good news for all American consumers, and the country as a whole.

Many Americans may be blithely unaware that the nation is on the verge of a looming spectrum scarcity crisis, perhaps because unlike petroleum, natural gas—or even solar or wind—our radio air waves are a natural resource that you can’t see, smell or feel. As consumers, our first hand personal experience of the spectrum shortage may be limited to when we experience dropped mobile calls, or can’t get an Internet connection. We might blame our carrier for poor service but don’t understand that our airwaves are a finite resource that is experiencing explosive demand. Many don’t realize how much our nation depends on wireless for our critical infrastructure – for utilities delivering smart grid and other power solutions and public safety services providing urgent communications – as well as our national defense. We might not pause to reflect on how wireless technologies help keep America competitive in a global economy. Some of us don’t even realize we are consumers of spectrum; we love our Blackberry’s, iPhones and laptops – and now our netbooks, iPads and whatever is “next”. We’re happy consumers of technology that entertains us and helps us communicate in new and amazing ways.

The good news is that the FCC has been steadily working toward evolving and improving how our spectrum is managed and allocated in recent years, from approving a secondary market for spectrum, to creating a national broadband plan, to freeing up TV white spaces, the broadcast waves left dormant by the Digital TV transition. Last week’s spectrum legislation will help us dig deeper into how efficiently spectrum is being used and where pockets of idle spectrum exist.

More good news for consumers: While companies have been developing all of the cool new gadgets you want next, Spectrum Bridge has been quietly but swiftly developing new technologies for increasing spectrum availability and efficiency. The new gadgets consumers will enjoy in the future will be made possible through spectrum allocation software born in our labs. In fact, many of the wireless gadgets and services you use now are already supported by a host of Spectrum Bridge tools and technologies.

In 2008 we launched the world’s first online spectrum exchange, SpecEx.com. SpecEx.com is helping thousands of organizations access spectrum on the secondary market for their wireless operations right now. We’re finding new life for old spectrum – by repurposing certain types of spectrum for new applications.

We’re helping companies find more spectrum through geo partitioning, disaggregation and other on-demand leasing strategies, and helping them maximize their spectrum assets and find new opportunities with SmartWaves, our innovative spectrum intelligence software, all right now.

We’ve been at the forefront in developing mixed spectrum solutions and in developing a groundbreaking TV white spaces database that is helping people all over the US locate available TV white spaces channels in their areas, right now. In October of 2009, under an experimental license, Spectrum Bridge launched the world’s first TV white spaces network, bringing high speed broadband Internet access to the citizens of Claudville, Virginia. Claudville is online right now. (We’ll be updating everyone with a bigger status report on the network and the tremendous impact it has had on the Claudville community in this blog next week.)

We applaud the House for approving these bills for a thorough inventory of the nation's communications spectrum. As FCC Commissioner Meredith Atwell Baker recently said, we need to “leverage the spectrum that exists more efficiently” and “encourage new technologies and innovation.” These two bills will now move to the full House Energy and Commerce panel for consideration, where we hope they will receive equally quick action. American consumers, businesses, our critical infrastructures, and the future of our national best interests deserve nothing less.

Meanwhile, the team at Spectrum Bridge continues to support wireless spectrum needs now and for what’s next. With the spectrum bills in place and many of Spectrum Bridge's innovative spectrum efficiency tools and technologies already in progress, our ultimate vision for making more spectrum available for wireless applications, Universal Spectrum Access, will usher in a more prosperous wireless nation.

We’re working on it, right now.