Engineers at the FCC are taking a dim view of the so-called white-space devices that are designed to share broadcasters’ digital TV spectrum.
Field tests of the product prototypes did not consistently sense or detect TV broadcast or wireless microphone signals, according to the commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology. The transmitter in the prototype device that was tested caused interference to TV broadcasting and wireless mics.
This validates the longstanding claims of broadcasters, who contend that devices operating in the so-called white-space within the broadcast band will cause interference with TV signals--a development that could interfere with the DTV transition.
The FCC has asked for comments to its report.