Unlicensed “White Space Device” Operations on the TV Band and the Myth of Harmful Interference

The FCC has proposed that the unassigned frequencies between broadcast TV channels – the TV band “white space” – should be opened on an unlicensed basis to certified devices that could offer a range of wireless services to the public. Access to the vacant TV channels in each market has been the subject of intense lobbying, yet far too many of the arguments against white space devices rely upon misinformation about the technologies and the FCC process that will ensure that harmful interference to TV broadcasts and other incumbent services does not occur. We believe that policymakers deserve better than the torrent of misinformation that has characterized the debate over white spaces devices. Therefore, this paper is an effort to help policymakers strike the appropriate balance between protecting existing services from interference while making the extensive benefits of mobile broadband services available and affordable for all consumers.