KB Enterprises and its strategic partner LS telcom filed a proposal with the FCC to create a database that will identify unused channels in the broadcast TV bands so they can be used by devices to provide data and voice services in the “white spaces” between broadcast stations. There were eight other proposals submitted, including one by Google.
The FCC’s decision to outsource this database will save the taxpayers millions of dollars (the FCC spends over $20 million per year to maintain their current spectrum management systems). In addition, having private enterprises administer the database will promote competition, lower prices and encourage innovation.
The use of white spaces is a step toward alleviating some of the tremendous demand for spectrum that wireless carriers have today.
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The filings are all in (the deadline was 6 January), now the FCC is open to receive comments on the proposals until 3 February and reply comments from then until 18 February. After that point the FCC will review all of the proposals, comments and reply comments before selecting the TV band database manager(s). The FCC’s updated comment filing system makes it easy to watch the proceeding – here’s a link to the latest filings.
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