NAB to FCC: Don't Muck Up White Spaces Compromise

The National Association of Broadcasters is warning the Federal Communications Commission not to mess with the hard-fought compromise broadcasters struck with Microsoft over freeing up more white spaces spectrum for 5G, particularly in rural areas, while not interfering with broadcasters sharing the spectrum band. In comments on the FCC's white spaces proposal, which was unanimously adopted Feb. 28, NAB signaled three moves that would threaten that compromise, discouraging the FCC from "introducing novel interpretations of its longstanding rules that will jeopardize existing and future television service."  First, it took issue with the FCC's suggestion that it needed to balance unlicensed- and licensed-use trade-offs when it came to potential interference. NAB said the FCC's rules could not be clearer that unlicensed devices can't interference with licensed ones (broadcast TV), period. Second, NAB said the FCC should not replace Microsoft's specific coordination process for preventing interference with a "less burdensome" process that NAB suggests is a short-cut to interference issues. Third, and arguably most important, NAB said the FCC should not consider higher-power operations in the first channel adjacent to a broadcast TV signal. Microsoft still thinks the two can coexist, but was OK with the FCC seeking further comment on it.