PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 News Media Contact: DA 08-118 Rob Kenny at (202) 418-2668 Released: January 17, 2008 OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR CONDUCTING MEASUREMENTS OF ADDITIONAL PROTOTYPE TV WHITE SPACE DEVICES ET Docket No. 04-186 The Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) announces that it will begin a second phase of laboratory bench testing on the performance of prototype television white space devices on January 24, 2008. The second phase of testing (Phase II) will be conducted openly and transparently. This testing is part of a proceeding to consider authorizing the operation of new, low power devices in the television (TV) broadcast spectrum at locations where channels are not being used for authorized services.1 This spectrum is often referred to as the “TV white spaces.” OET is conducting a test program on TV white space prototype devices to provide additional information for the record, which will be considered in assessing the interference potential of such devices and establishing appropriate requirements. Initial tests (Phase I) of early prototypes were completed in July 2007.2 On October 5, 2007, OET issued a public notice inviting submittal of additional prototype devices for further tests (Phase II).3 The Public Notice stated that further details on the testing would be released at a later time. Several prototype devices were recently submitted for Phase II testing, including four devices submitted by Adaptrum, Microsoft, Motorola and Philips, respectively.4 To help ensure the testing process is open and transparent, OET has developed a Phase II test plan, which can be found on the FCC OET website at http://www.fcc.gov/oet/projects/tvbanddevice/. Comments and suggestions offered within the 1 FCC 06-156, First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Matter of Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands, ET Docket No. 04-186, October 18, 2006. 2 OET Report FCC/OET 07-TR-1006, Initial Evaluation of the Performance of Prototype TV-Band White Space Devices, S. Jones and T. Phillips, July 31, 2007. 3 See FCC Public Notice, The Office of Engineering and Technology announces Additional Testing of TV White Space Devices, DA 07-4179, October 5, 2007. 4 See ex-parte filings from Adaptrum, Microsoft, Motorola, and Philips, ET Docket No. 04-186. public record in the Commission’s proceeding on the TV white spaces with respect to both the previous and current testing were considered and included in the test plan where appropriate and practicable.5 Pursuant to this plan, Phase II testing will include both laboratory (bench) tests and field tests. The laboratory tests will measure the performance capabilities of the prototype devices under controlled conditions. The field tests will be conducted at a variety of locations to provide information on the performance of the devices under real world conditions. The test report is expected to be completed within approximately four to six weeks of completion of the tests. OET staff will adapt the test plan as appropriate based on the specific capabilities of each device and circumstances that may arise as the tests progress. Bench testing at the FCC laboratory will commence on January 24, 2008, at 10 AM and is expected to continue for approximately four to six weeks. Field testing will immediately follow the bench testing and is expected to conclude at the end of an additional period of approximately four to six weeks. Any updates or changes to the testing schedule for the prototype white space devices will be publicly disseminated and available on OET’s website. The testing will be open to observation by any interested parties. Parties interested in observing the testing should contact Patricia Goff at (301) 362-3001 or by e-mail at Patricia.Goff@fcc.gov, if they have not already done so. Members of the press interested in covering the testing should contact Rob Kenny at (202) 418-2668 or by e-mail at Robert.Kenny@fcc.gov. For general information concerning OET’s testing of prototype TV white space devices, please contact Alan Stillwell at (202) 418-2925 or by e-mail at Alan.Stillwell@fcc.gov. -OET- 5 The Phase II tests will largely follow the procedures used for Phase I with some modifications.