The good news is, the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) at the Federal Communications Commission vetted an application submitted by Telcordia Technologies Inc. to operate its “TV bands database system” commercially. The bad news is that Telcordia has to wait until the commission completes and activates its system for approving registrations to protect wireless microphone use at large event/performance venues.

The FCC also approved the Spectrum Bridge Inc. TV-bands database system for operation.

“The commission’s registration system for venues where large numbers of unlicensed wireless microphones are used is still under development and is expected to be operational in the near future,” the FCC notes.

The Wireless Innovation Alliance lauded the agency’s decision, saying, "WIA applauds the FCC’s decision to provide innovators with the opportunity to unleash cutting-edge technologies that will utilize these unused TV bands. The FCC’s preliminary approval to allow Telcordia to operate its "TV bands database system" signals to innovators across the country that we have taken a significant step forward in the deployment of next generation wireless technologies for every day consumers, and that America is open for business in the TV white spaces market."

Currently, multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD) receive sites, wireless microphones users and operators of temporary BAS links must register their sites to receive protection from TV-bands devices. As required under the rules, Telcordia is providing facilities for registering for these operations through its TVWS database system Website.

“The rules also provide that responsible parties may request that the Commission approve registrations for protection of venues where unlicensed wireless microphones are used,” the FCC points out. “These requests will be made available for public comment, and the Commission will subsequently review them for approval. All registrations entered with a given TV-bands database will be communicated to the other TV bands database(s) so that registrations will not need to be entered in multiple databases.”

On a more positive note, it looks like OET is looking favorably on another request from Telcordia to provide immediate service from its database system in a limited geographic area.

“For such an area, OET would accept and process any requests for registration of venues where large numbers of unlicensed microphones might be used and then direct Telcordia to create a registration record for the venue,” the bureau says. “OET will notify Telcordia when the Commission’s unlicensed wireless microphone registration system is completed and inform it of the date on which it may begin providing service to TV bands devices.”

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