By John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable Online, 5-12-20
Microsoft and the National Association of Broadcasters continue to be poles apart on how much “white space” between TV channels the FCC should open up for unlicensed uses like portable internet access devices.
Microsoft told the FCC in comments that while it is not now, nor does it plan ever, to be a broadband provider itself, it said the FCC should not hold back its many ISP partners with “overly conservative” technical rules.
NAB and Microsoft agreed on a number of changes to the FCC’s white spaces regime, which the FCC has proposed adopting. But the commission also sought comment on the one issue on which they still strongly disagree, which is how close together on the broadcast spectrum the FCC should allow TV stations and those devices should operate.
In its comments earlier this month, NAB remained firm in its opposition to allowing the devices to operate on channels right next door. » Read More