Microsoft Joins the TV White Space Race

The Federal Communications Commission has just conditionally designated Microsoft Corporation as a TV bands database administrator. The Order states that “Microsoft is the tenth entity designated to develop a database that will enable the introduction of this new class of unlicensed broadband wireless devices in the TV spectrum.” The announcement comes as a surprise to some industry stakeholders and excitement to others. We at Spectrum Bridge welcome Microsoft to help further solidify the use of unlicensed spectrum to spur new innovation and technologies.

In addition to Microsoft becoming a database administrator, the IEEE, an association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity, has recently completed the 802.22™ standard for wireless regional area networks in TV white spaces. According to the press release, “IEEE 802.22 systems will provide broadband access to wide regional areas around the world and bring reliable and secure high-speed communications to under-served and un-served communities.”

The completion of TV white space standards and the addition of a tenth database administrator strongly indicate that the FCC is fully committed to enhancing the unlicensed wireless industry and ecosystem moving forward. The database administrators are not only tasked with ensuring protection to incumbent users, but spurring innovation where database technology did not previously exist. As referenced in many industry white papers, 90-95 percent of spectrum sites idle at any given time. If this database approach model is adopted in additional frequency bands, it may very well help alleviate some of the current spectrum crisis issues at hand.

All of the database administrators are anxiously awaiting the completion of the certification process and trial period that ensues. Once the certification process is completed, commercial products will then be made available to support many of the unserved and underserved communities in America with rural broadband and other applications. There are endless possibilities beyond the TV white spaces and Spectrum Bridge is very excited for the future of database managed wireless technology. For a preview of future technology to come, see the examples of use cases developed by our Universal Spectrum Access technology model.

- Andrew Pielack, Communications Coordinator

Super WiFi Summit - Recap

Last week, Spectrum Bridge had the opportunity to attend and present at the Super WiFi Summit in Miami, and hear from many of the major players in the white spaces arena. We were impressed with the dynamic industry speakers who spoke on the regulatory timetable for white space, as well as future applications utilizing database driven technology.

Many of the speakers touched on next steps for white spaces – beginning with the nine database service providers, including Spectrum Bridge, meeting in an FCC-organized workshop on March 10th to discuss database operation, consistency, compliance and to schedule public trials for the database. Other key points from the panelists included the future application of database driven technology in other bands of spectrum to help open up additional bandwidth, as well as expanding the opportunity in white spaces globally.

One concern raised by the audience was the possibility of TV white spaces spectrum becoming reallocated. Although it is too soon to tell what will happen, as Google’s FCC representative, Rick Whitt put it, “the sooner we can prove the technology, the sooner we can prove the value of white spaces.” Spectrum Bridge has been at the forefront of this new technology, proving the value of white spaces in different applications through multiple trial networks. We are looking forward to continuing the momentum in white spaces through commercial network deployments later on this year. Stay tuned to Spectrum Bridge news by subscribing to our newsletter or checking out our Facebook and Twitter pages!

- Allison Ng, Product Marketing Associate

Spectrum Bridge Selected as TV Bands Device Database Administrator

Yesterday, an order was released by the Federal Communications Commission and the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) conditionally appointing Spectrum Bridge as a TV White Spaces Database Administrator. This follows the FCC’s unanimous approval of the white spaces rules from September 23rd, allowing for the use of unused TV spectrum by new broadband networks and devices.

We would like to extend our thanks to the FCC and the OET for their decision to appoint Spectrum Bridge as one of the TV White Spaces Database Service Providers. This decision is a critical step in the white spaces proceeding, paving the way for great innovation in technology, and will help to realize the potential of unlicensed spectrum and spectrum databases as solutions for alleviating the spectrum shortage. As Chairman Genachowski said in his speech at the Consumer Electronics show in January, “the future success of this wide-ranging industry and others depends on whether our government acts quickly to unleash more spectrum -- the oxygen that sustains our mobile devices.”

TV White Spaces are positioned to play a major role in the future of wireless technology, and we, along with other major industry players, will continue to develop and demonstrate technological innovations in this space. Our four trial networks, showcasing a multitude of applications, are a testament to our success in TV White Spaces, and we are looking forward to bringing this success to a commercial level.

We have also released an updated version of our TV White spaces search tool, ShowMyWhiteSpace, in accordance with the FCC’s updated white spaces rules. The updated version includes enhancements to the interactive TV White Space Map and channel query interface, accessible via our website. Visit our website to learn more about our database, or partnering with Spectrum Bridge.

- Neeraj Srivastava, VP of Marketing & Business Development

Delivering Smart Grid Solutions with TV White Spaces

Partnering with Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative and Telecommunications (PSREC) and Google, Spectrum Bridge deployed the nation's first "Smart Grid" wireless network trial using TV White Spaces. This marks the third successful White Spaces network solution deployed by Spectrum Bridge and continues to demonstrate alternative technology to help alleviate the perceived spectrum scarcity crisis.

In the Plumas County scenario, PSREC was investigating technologies to find a cost-effective solution to meet their challenges of providing rural broadband connectivity for customers over difficult terrain. TV White Spaces were a natural fit for providing an alternative solution because of the excellent propagation characteristics. "Plumas, Lassen and Sierra Counties are located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and present some very difficult challenges with respect to wireless coverage. The ability to use White SPace has proven to be an effective option for dealing with difficult terrain and offers another option for wireless connectivity," stated Lori Rice, PSREC's Chief Operating Officer.

Spectrum Bridge was able to help bring rural broadband connectivity to the PSREC customers using Spectrum Bridge's TV White Space database, which assigns non-interfering frequencies to white space devices. In addition, PSREC improved their System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) applications, and upgraded their Smart Grid implementation with the addition of Google PowerMeter technology deployed to select residents in Plumas-Sierra County.

With the TV White Spaces technology, companies facing connectivity challenges have another option available for wireless rural broadband access. As we await the FCC's finalized White Spaces rules, we continue to move forward by developing new technology and software to help accomodate the growing demand for spectrum.

- Neeraj Srivastava, VP of Business Development

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

An Overview of the Broadband Stimulus with a Wireless Perspective

By Christian L. Duffus, CFO, Spectrum Bridge, Inc.

OVERVIEW:
There is a unique opportunity in the wireless industry as presented in the Rural Utilities Service Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program section of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the “Act”) also commonly referred to as the “Broadband Stimulus Package.”

Specifically, $1 billion or over 35% of the $2.825 billion for Broadband Deployment Grants has been stipulated towards Wireless (see section 3102 of this Act). The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) will be carrying out the program designed to award grants to eligible entities for the non-recurring costs associated with the deployment of broadband infrastructure in rural, suburban, and urban areas.

The section of the Act relating to Wireless Deployment Grants, states the priorities as (i) wireless voice service in un-served areas and (ii) advanced wireless broadband service in underserved areas which are defined as those not representing, in the aggregate, more than 20 percent of the population or of the geographic area of such State. Additionally, there is extra consideration for proposals that can be accomplished in the near-term, or timeline of the Act.

CONSIDERATIONS:

There will be a number of one-off opportunities to receive grant funds to build and strengthen your business.

Applicants that have well conceived plans and resources will be given priority consideration. Furthermore, many of the program objectives and implementation processes are quite vague. It behooves prospective participants to engage and shape the process; the NTIA is open and willing to take feedback on your ideas.

That said, one way to increase the likelihood of receiving grant funds are creative, public-private partnerships where you can bring something to the table (i.e., spectrum). Many not-for-profit entities are in some cases better situated for selection over some for-profit only entities. This is driven by a number of the public service stipulations to the Act funds. Conversely these not-for-profits may not have the capabilities to complete the proposals because of their lack of technical ability and/or assets or vice versa. If you don’t already license, one example is to secure, purchase or lease options on available spectrum (see: SpecEx.com) in the intended rural service areas to “bring something to the table.” These organizations can include but are not limited to Cities, Counties, Public Safety, Educational and Healthcare institutions. Finally, by bringing your technical and operational know-how as a WISP, you would add tremendous value to the success of these organizations’ proposals and your business plans.

KEY DATES:
Public Meetings Schedule:

• March 16 (Washington, DC)
• March 17 (Las Vegas, NV)
• March 18 (Flagstaff, NM)
• March 19 (Washington, DC)
• March 23 (Washington, DC)
• March 24 (Washington, DC)

These meetings also will be streamed on the Internet (www.ntia.doc.gov).

Funding Schedule:

• April-June 2009
• October-December 2009
• April-June 2010

It is likely that funding for a round will be completed before applications for the following round are submitted. Application deadlines will be announced in Notices of Availability of Funds that will be published in the Federal Register (www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/). (Source Rini Coran)