FCC begins testing mysterious "white space" wireless broadband device

Earlier this month, a consortium of companies including Microsoft, Intel, Dell, and Google submitted a device to the Federal Communications Commission for approval that would use the so-called "white space" in the analog television spectrum for wireless Internet access. The FCC is testing the new device and will have results ready in July, according to an attorney for the companies, and the Commission could then adopt final rules for such devices in the fall of this year.

Microsoft leads internet industry bid to fill up white space | The Register

A coalition led by Microsoft, and backed by most of the heavyweights of the internet industry, has submitted a device for use in this white space to the FCC for approval, signaling the determination of these players to make use of new spectrum availability to promote their own business model. The main aims of the prototype are to demonstrate ways that interference with TV broadcasts can be avoided, and to showcase new services and access mechanisms to boost broadband competition.

RadioScape Extends Software Defined Radio Approach to Mobile TV

RadioScape plc is extending its leadership in Mobile TV broadcast technology with the addition this year of solutions for Mobile TV receivers, which will be based on the latest additions to the Blackfin® processor family from Analog Devices (ADI). Announced today these new, high performance, low power processors will enable RadioScape to integrate the DAB baseband decoder and the audio video decoder onto a single platform. This provides a clear saving in costs while being very competitive on space and power compared to the conventional approach today of having these on two separate chips.

More spectrum needed for mobile-TV, pleads GSM group

Europe's mobile network operators have called on governments and regulators for more spectrum to be made available for the provision of mobile TV, echoing one of the findings in the final report of the European Mobile Broadcasting Council (EMBC), an initiative of the European Commission.

Broadcasters fight for high definition spectrum guarantees | Business | Money | Telegraph

Executives from ITV, the BBC, Channel 4 and Five met DTI Minister Margaret Hodge in an eleventh-hour plea for guaranteed spectrum to supply free high-definition (HD) television.

Smart radio technology could be used to enable the spectrum to be shared between broadcasters and other applications.

Cognitive radio functionality supports spectrum avoidance requirements

Realtek Semiconductor Corp. has demonstrated a cognitive radio functionality for UWB using its RTU7010 combined single-chip radio and base band processor, currently in mass production.

This cognitive radio functionality complies with the spectrum avoidance requirements that will apply in several worldwide regulatory domains beginning in 2009, and that are directed at ensuring satisfactory coexistence of UWB devices with other wireless services.

DTT spectrum allocated to Italian majors

Italy’s communications regulatory authority has allocated the first major portion of the digital terrestrial TV spectrum to Italy's three leading terrestrial broadcasters RAI, Mediaset and Telecom Italia Media.

Agcom's board voted to allocate equal portions of the DTT transmission spectrum the three in an effort to boost the market and "to promote pluralism". The broadcasters will have access to 40 per cent of the DTT spectrum.

Telecom Italia Media chief executive Antonio Campo dall'Orto has admitted that the less rapid development of the DTT platform, caused by the government's decision to delay the switchover from analogue to digital from 2008 to 2012, has made the group re-think its DTT strategy.

Operating profitability was influenced by the impact of the depreciation of the new DTT network bought at end 2005 and the investments made on it in 2006, the company said.

GSME calls for UHF band to be opened up to mobile and fixed telecoms service:Wireless Design & Development

GSM Europe has called on the European Commission to define a harmonised sub-band within the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, which is currently used for broadcasting analogue television, to be used for fixed and mobile telecoms applications. This is one of the options set out in the Radio Spectrum Policy Group's (RSPG) Opinion on "EU Spectrum Policy Implications of the Digital Dividend", which examines how UHF spectrum could be used once television broadcasting has become entirely digital within the European Union. The RSPG advises the European Commission on spectrum policy.

Spectrum auction 'not driven by Treasury'—Hodge

Trade and Industry minister Margaret Hodge has sought to dispel industry speculation that Chancellor Gordon Brown is seeking to maximise revenues from a spectrum auction by not setting aside capacity for high-definition television (HDTV) channels on Freeview. Hodge told trade body the Digital Television Group's annual summit that the Government was mindful of the public policy implications of spectrum allocation post switchover.

Alcatel-Lucent offers CDMA product for 700 MHz public safety :: RCR Wireless News

Alcatel-Lucent introduced a new CDMA2000 1x EV-DO Revision A-enabled base station for the 700 MHz spectrum band aimed at supporting the specific needs of public-safety organizations. The company said the technology will support high-speed access to data, images and video, and will provide users with push-to-talk and location-identification services.

The move is essentially a nod to the growing interest in supplying wireless products to public safety, which stands to gain extra spectrum as part of TV broadcasters’ transition to digital technology. According to Congress’ mandate on the topic, public safety is allotted some spectrum in the 700 MHz band while another chunk is set to be auctioned. However, several plans circling around Washington could ultimately add to the pool of 700 MHz spectrum for public safety.