The FCC released a Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order on November 4, 2008 that authorized the use of devices in the “white spaces” of the TV broadcast bands.  In this order the Commission set out technical requirements for white spaces devices, protections for incumbent services and details about the TV bands database that will be used to provide white space devices with the geolocation of protected services.

The FCC recently asked for proposals for the creation and maintenance of a commercial database of protected services in the band so that end-user devices can contact the database and determine whether and which vacant TV channels are free for use in the immediate area.  Proposals are due by January 4, 2010 with comments on those proposals due by February 3, 2010 and reply comments by February 18, 2010.

The database of protected services is only one piece of the entire white spaces proceeding.  The other aspects involve the wireless microphone industry lobbying for protection from interference for their services in the TV bands and prospective white space device manufacturers and service providers lobbying for different interference requirements.

The involvement of several large tech firms (Google, Microsoft, Dell) appears to center around delivering broadband data access on the white space frequencies.  The White Spaces Coalition includes Microsoft, Google, Dell, HP, Intel, Philips, Earthlink, and Samsung Electro-Mechanics.

To see the latest comments made in the proceeding access the FCC’s Comment System for the white spaces proceeding.