DA 20-904 Released: August 26, 2020 OFFICE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCES TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF WHITE SPACE DATABASE FROM NOMINET UK TO RED TECHNOLOGIES ET Docket No. 04-186 By this Public Notice, the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) announces that RED Technologies (RED) is now the white space database administrator for the database previously administered by Nominet UK (Nominet). This change was precipitated by a transfer of ownership and control of the white space database from Nominet to RED. This transfer of control will not affect the way existing or future white space equipment connects to the white space database. In addition, there will be no change to the public’s interaction with the database for querying the database or registering protected entity locations. Part 15 of the Commission’s rules permits unlicensed intentional radiators to operate on available channels in the broadcast television bands, the 600 MHz service band, the 600 MHz duplex gap, and in channel 37. 47 CFR § 15.701 et seq. The broadcast television bands consist of channels 2-36 (54-72 MHz, 76-88 MHz, 174-216 MHz and 470-608 MHz). The 600 MHz service band comprises downlink and uplink spectrum (617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz) for licensed wireless services under Part 27. The upper six megahertz of the duplex gap between the 600 MHz service band (657-663 MHz) is available for use by unlicensed white space devices. Channel 37 (608-614 MHz) is used by the Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) and radio astronomy. The unused spectrum in these bands is commonly referred to as “white spaces.” Unlicensed devices operating in the white spaces provide broadband data and other services for consumers and businesses. To prevent interference to protected users, white space devices must include a geo-location capability and the ability to access a database, 47 CFR § 15.711(a). which provides a list of available frequencies at the device’s location. 47 CFR § 15.713(a)(1). The white space database also registers protected facilities’ locations. 47 CFR § 15.713(a)(3)-(4). Services not recorded in Commission databases, but that are subject to protection from white space device operations, include cable headend locations, low power television receive sites that are outside the protected contours of the television stations whose signals they receive, and the locations where licensed wireless microphones and other low power auxiliary devices are used on a regular or scheduled basis. The Commission can designate one or more entities to administer a white space database under Part 15 of the Commission’s rules. 47 CFR § 15.715. On November 16, 2017, Nominet filed a proposal with OET to administer a white space database. Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands, ET Docket No. 04-186, Proposal by Nominet UK to Serve as a White Spaces Database Administrator (Nov. 16, 2017), https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/111609559633/Nominet%20-%20Database%20Administrator%20Proposal%20-%20Annex%20A.pdf. After seeking comment on Nominet’s proposal, Office of Engineering and Technology Seeks Comment on Nominet UK Proposal to be Designated as a White Space Database Administrator, ET Docket No. 04-186, Public Notice, 33 FCC Rcd 3554 (Apr. 9, 2018), https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/04091228004065/DA-18-351A1.pdf. the Commission issued an order designating Nominet as a white space database administrator, subject to certain conditions. Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands, ET Docket No. 04-186, Order, 33 FCC Rcd 5966 (June 11, 2018), https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/0611229427453/DA-18-605A1.pdf. On June 4, 2020, representatives from Nominet and RED informed the Commission of their plans to transfer ownership and control of Nominet’s white space database. Letter from Pierre-Jean Muller, CEO, RED Technologies, and Adam Leach, CIO, Nominet UK, to Ronald Repasi, Acting Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology, FCC (June 4, 2020), https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/10605256108393/RED%20Nominet%20Letter.pdf. Nominet and RED state that this transfer of ownership and control will not result in interruption to the white space database service or material changes to ongoing database operations. Id. Additionally, RED has committed to fulfilling all of the representations made by Nominet in its application to serve as a white space database administrator and the responsibilities of a white space database administrator. Id. The Commission’s rules allow an administrator to transfer its database, along with the IP addresses and URLs used to access the database and a list of registered fixed white space devices, to another designated entity at the end of its term, and to charge a reasonable price for such conveyance. 47 CFR § 15.715(j). We determine that these same provisions should apply to a database transfer mid-term, and that the representations from Nominet and RED indicate these provisions have been satisfied. RED has substantial experience operating spectrum access systems, including Licensed Shared Access systems in major European markets. Id. We are therefore confident that RED will fulfill the conditions previously agreed to by Nominet and successfully administer a television white space database going forward. Accordingly, we designate RED as a television white space database administrator, subject to the same conditions originally imposed on Nominet. The WaveDB channel search and protected entity registration utilities offered by Nominet continue to be available at: https://usa.wavedb.com/. The registration files continue to be available for download at: https://csv.wavedb.com/. For technical or operational support with the white space database, users should use the following contact information: E-Mail: wavedb-support@redtechnologies.fr Mail: RED Technologies, 130 Rue de Lourmel, 75015 Paris, France Finally, white space devices approved for use with a specific white space database may operate using the RED database or any other Commission-approved white space database. The database specification on the equipment grant is done for equipment approval testing only and white space device users may choose to use any approved white space database so long as the device can communicate with it successfully. For additional information, please contact Mr. Hugh L. VanTuyl, Office of Engineering and Technology, Hugh.VanTuyl@fcc.gov, (202) 418-7506. By the Acting Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology -FCC- 3