Wi-Fi

In May 2004, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to allow a new generation of wireless devices to use vacant TV frequencies (so-called “white spaces”) on an unlicensed basis and thereby promote more effective use of the public airwaves. In October 2006, under bipartisan pressure from Congress, the FCC adopted a First Order and Further NPRM that approved unlicensed use of vacant TV channels for “fixed” broadband deployments, but called for further… more

We are living through a critical juncture in telecommunications history -- an era where fundamental changes in how we communicate are radically transforming civil society. Broadcast and spectrum regulations are often decades out of date with current technologies and decision-makers are woefully ignorant of the capabilities (or even existence) of better alternatives. Corporations utilize proprietary technologies to capture markets and lock consumers into expensive path dependencies. Telecommunications companies build centralized network architectures for command and… more

In this report, I analyze the competitive effects of recent proposals to reserve a small portion of the upcoming 700 MHz band auction for wholesale, open-access use.[i] Using this license, a wholesale open-access licensee would build out the wireless network, own and operate the cell sites, towers, and radio equipment, and provide transport to the Internet backbone. For the purposes of this report, “open access” means that there would be “no locking and no blocking” by the… more

Spectrum has become one of the most valuable natural resources of the Information Age. Unlike other comparably valuable natural resources such as land and oil, it is owned by the public and allocated exclusively by the federal government. Also, unlike those resources, it is invisible both literally and figuratively: the general public does not understand—and consequently does not care about—its allocation. This combination of huge amounts of money at stake and public ignorance creates the classic conditions for special interest… more

Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554

In the matter of

Service Rules for the 698-746, 747-762, and 777-792 MHZ Bands, WT Docket No. 06-150

Implementing a Nationwide, Broadband, Interoperable Public Safety Network in the 700 MHZ Band, PS Docket No. 06-229

Implementation of the Commercial SpectrumEnhancement Act and Modernization of theCommission’s Competitive Bidding Rules and Procedures , WT Docket No. 05-211

Development of Operational, Technical, and Spectrum Requirements for Meeting Federal,… more

April 2, 2007

Ex Parte

Marlene H. Dortch Secretary Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554

Re: TV White Spaces Proceeding, ET Docket Nos. 04-186, 02-380

Dear Ms. Dortch:

This letter addresses misleading statements made by Association for Maximum Service Television, Inc. (MSTV) in an ex parte presentation made to the OET staff on March 19, 2007 and filed four days later at FCC on March 23, 2007, in apparent violation of §1.1206(b)… more

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- When Microsoft Corp. delivers a mysterious prototype for government testing this coming week, it will mark a crucial juncture for a high-stakes bid to change the way consumers get their Internet access. That bid has cast Microsoft and a group of powerful allies from Silicon Valley in the relatively unfamiliar role of Washington policy players. Microsoft's (MSFT) prototype, delivered on behalf of the group, is a wireless device that could provide the… more

The U.S. needs a wireless broadband policy as community networks "pop up everywhere," said Sascha Meinrath, exec. dir.-Champaign-Urbana Community Wireless. Speaking at the Freedom to Connect conference near D.C., he and others said before the feds can act, they need better information...The U.S. needs to "explicitly pursue federal policy" to stop telcos from getting states to preempt local govts. from doing it, said Michael Calabrese, Dir.-New America Foundation Wireless Future Program. Lack of broad wireless broadband adoption isn't… more

The Technical Reply Comments filed by NAF, et al. are below. NAF, et al. also filed a separate set of Economic/Legal Reply Comments, which you can find here.

BEFORE THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

In the Matter of Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands, ET Docket No. 04-186

Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHZ and in the 3 GHz Band, ET Docket No. 02-380

TECHNICAL REPLY COMMENTS OFNEW… more

The Economic/Legal Reply Comments filed by NAF, et al. are below. NAF, et al. also filed a separate set of Technical Reply Comments, which you can find here.

BEFORE THEFEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

In the Matter of Unlicensed Operationin the TV Broadcast Bands, ET Docket No. 04-186

Additional Spectrum for Unlicensed Devices Below 900 MHZ and in the 3 GHz Band, ET Docket No. 02-380

ECONOMIC/LEGAL REPLY COMMENTS OF NEW AMERICA FOUNDATION, COMMON… more