NAB Opposes Recon Petitions on TV White Spaces Rules

NAB opposed petitions from the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, Cal.net, Carlson Wireless Technologies, Google and Microsoft seeking reconsideration of rules for unlicensed use of the TV white spaces. The petitions call for relaxing FCC rules for the use of white spaces devices in the TV band, NAB said. “NAB continues to support unlicensed operation in the television band as long as such operations must not cause harmful interference to licensed services,” NAB said in its filing in docket 14-165. “NAB opposes certain of the changes petitioners seek to the FCC’s rules because they will unnecessarily and unacceptably increase the likelihood for harmful interference to over-the-air television viewers and other licensed operations.” CTIA opposed a request by wireless microphone advocates that the FCC relax out-of-band emissions limits for wireless mics. “The Commission’s decision was based in part on extensive testing information provided by CTIA and its members, and the Commission concluded that the requirements it adopted were necessary to ensure compliance with the Spectrum Act,” CTIA said. “The Commission should uphold this conclusion.” The FCC also should stick with a provision limiting the spectrum that can be used for wireless mics, said CTIA. The 30-MHz limit in the order “is well-supported by the record and falls squarely within the Commission’s stated policy objectives of promoting spectral efficiency and frequency agility for wireless microphones,” CTIA said.