Microsoft to persuade FCC for vacant TV airwaves

Microsoft on Monday will try to convince the Federal Communications Commission to approve new type of portable wireless devices that should be able to use vacant TV airwaves for Internet access, without interfering with other devices.

After FCC’s initial refusal to authorize the prototype device crafted at Redmond, Microsoft is making another attempt and will try and be more convincing this time.

In the latest document that the software-giant is planning to file with the FCC, it will oppose the agency’s findings that the devices designed to connect consumers to high-speed Internet over unused television airwaves cause interference to TV signals, according to report in The Washington Post.

Microsoft is trying to provide internet access through airwaves, roaming in the ‘White Space,’ which is comprised of unused frequencies in the radio waves portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Microsoft and other biggies of the industry like Intel, Google, Samsung, Philips, Earthlink, HP and Dell are grouped in the White Spaces Coalition. They have been trying to persuade the FCC to accept “transferring” the vacant analog frequencies to the Internet since late 2006, when the Congress determined to abandon the analog television in the US.

The airwaves would be left vacant when TV broadcasters move to digital signals in early 2009. FCC shall supposedly have enough time to test promising technologies and consider proposals from a variety of bidders. The entire US analog TV spectrum could value up to $20 billion, according to a 2005 approximation; so they have much at stake.

FCC’s next meeting is scheduled for this Thursday, where it will review the most recent proposal and discuss testing options for white-space devices.

Phone carriers and cable operators have expressed concerns saying that their wireless PA systems will not work well if unlicensed devices are allowed to operate within the same spectrum.

The FCC has said it would lay down final technical requirements for devices to use those airwaves without a license by October.