NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
September 30, 2014 Tamara Smith, 202-418-2994
tamara.smith@fcc.gov
FCC LAYS GROUNDWORK FOR ADDITIONAL UNLICENSED 
USE OF TV BAND AND 600 MHZ BAND SPECTRUM
Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today proposed to modify its Part 15 rules
to accommodate growing demand and encourage innovation in the provision of wireless broadband data 
services. The Commission’s Part 15 rules permit devices to operate on unused “white space” spectrum 
between TV stations. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking fulfills the Commission’s commitment in the 
Incentive Auction Report and Order to consider changes to its existing Part 15 rules to facilitate 
unlicensed use of the television bands, 600 MHz Band guard bands and channel 37.  
Since the Commission finalized initial rules in 2010, unlicensed white space devices in the TV bands 
have been used primarily to provide broadband data and other services to schools and libraries. 
Unlicensed spectrum technologies have the potential to encourage competition in the broadband market, 
promote efficient delivery of broadband services in residences and businesses, and improve user 
experience with consumer devices needing short-range but high data rate communications.
Following the incentive auction, with the repacking of the television band and the repurposing of current 
television spectrum for wireless services, there will be fewer frequencies in the UHF band available for 
use by unlicensed fixed and personal/portable white space devices and wireless microphones. The 
proposed changes to Part 15 rules are designed to allow for more robust service and efficient spectral use
in the frequency bands that are now and will continue to be allocated and assigned to broadcast television 
services, while continuing to protect authorized users from harmful interference. 
The 600 MHz Band Plan adopted in the Incentive Auction Report and Order also provided new 
opportunities for unlicensed white space devices in the repurposed 600 MHz Band guard bands and 
channel 37. The Notice also proposes and seeks comment on rules to permit those operations, while 
protecting authorized licensed services from harmful interference.
Action by the Commission September 30, 2014, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 14-144).  
Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel and O’Rielly.  Commissioner Pai approving 
and concurring in part. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and O’Rielly 
issuing statements. Docket No. 14-165
For further information, contact Geraldine Matise (202-418-2322; Geraldine.Matise@fcc.gov) or Hugh 
Van Tuyl (202-418-7506; Hugh.VanTuyl@fcc.gov).
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