[opendtv] Commerce Committee Chairman Stevens Introduces American Broadband for Communities Act

There is a true firestorm brewing, and it may well represent a further 
crippling of OTA capability. Allowing unlicensed services to reside in 
Broadcast Spectrum is a disaster unless there is a requirement for OTA 
receivers to meet certain (and defined) operating capabilities. While 
most will blame multipath as the most crippling of reception 
capabilities, I maintain that the other variables are just as capable of 
making reception impossible (front-end overload, adjacent channels, poor 
discrimination, bad/cheap AGC, Blah-Blah-Blah...the list goes on...)
So, without even knowing how present and future receivers perform, are 
designed, etc..., we will now just throw a bunch of unlicensed devices 
into the mix!

Disaster in the making... The boat was launched without the necessary 
seaworthiness passengers expected, the mechanics have been working on 
endless modifications since the launch, and another storm is brewing. A 
tsunami in the making? Maybe the perfect storm?


  ***************************


  Commerce Committee Chairman Stevens Introduces American Broadband for
  Communities Act

February 17, 2006 -

For Immediate Release
February 17, 2006
Contacts: Aaron Saunders w/Stevens (202) 224-3991
Melanie Alvord w/Stevens (202) 224-8456 

                  * Commerce Committee Chairman Stevens Introduces
                         American Broadband for Communities Act* 

WASHINGTON DC - Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens 
(R-Alaska) today introduced the American Broadband for Communities Act 
of 2006. The Act frees up spectrum not being used by broadcasters for 
unlicensed wireless devices which would provide communities with 
wireless broadband and home networking services.

Broadcasters are allocated hundreds of megahertz (MHz) of spectrum to 
provide television service across the country. But in any one market 
some of the spectrum goes unused. Some studies have indicated that there 
is more than 150 MHz of spectrum in Anchorage, Alaska, and Honolulu, 
Hawaii, that could be used by unlicensed devices for wireless services. 
Even in large cities like Boston and Chicago it is estimated that nearly 
50 MHz of spectrum goes unused.

The bill would allow manufacturers to design unlicensed devices to be 
operated in the broadcast spectrum not being used by broadcasters. These 
unlicensed devices would make it easier for companies to offer broadband 
services to consumers. The devices would be designed to sense their 
environment and identify what spectrum is in use and would only use 
portions of the broadcast spectrum not being used by broadcasters.

"Allowing unlicensed operations in the broadcast band could play a 
significant role in bringing wireless broadband and home networking to 
more of our citizens by lowering costs, particularly in Alaska where 
connectivity is so important due to our remoteness," said Stevens.

The American Broadband for Communities Act also directs the Federal 
Communications Commission (FCC) craft technical requirements for 
unlicensed devices in the broadcast band that would protect broadcast 
stations, a proceeding it has already initiated. In addition, the 
legislation urges the FCC to further establish an interference complaint 
resolution process for broadcasters.

"I believe that the requirements in the bill will give the broadcasters 
additional protection while allowing more efficient use of the valuable 
broadcast spectrum, which is an invaluable public resource," said Stevens.

###


http://stevens.senate.gov/pr_detailed.cfm?prid=333

-- 
><>   ><>   ><>   ><>   ><>   ><>   ><>
Regards,
Mark A. Aitken
Director, Advanced Technology
<><   <><   <><   <><   <><   <><   <><
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