FCC Approves Telcordia Technologies White Space Databasing


The FCC issued a Public Notice announcing approval of Telcordia Technologies TV Bands Database System on Monday.

While the FCC has granted approval for Telcordia to operate its TV bands database system to provide service to the public, OET stated it is "is not providing authorization for Telcordia to begin providing service to TV bands devices until the Commission completes and activates its system for approving registrations to protect wireless microphone use at large event/performance venues."

The Public Notice said, "OET may, however, authorize operations by the Telcordia database to serve one or more localized areas prior to the activation of this unlicensed wireless microphone venues registration system where Telcordia coordinates with local officials and other stakeholders to ensure that appropriate protection is provided for any such venues."

The FCC appeared to invite such limited operation by saying that the OET "states that it will consider favorably a request from Telcordia to provide immediate service from its database system in a limited geographic area." And that for such areas, it 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." Additionally, the Commission stated that OET would notify Telcordia when the unlicensed wireless microphone registration system was completed, "and inform it of the date on which it may begin providing service to TV bands devices."

The only other approved database provider is Spectrum Bridge. As reported elsewhere in this week's RF Report, two companies have joined to offer the first commercial wireless system to use TV white space spectrum in the United States.


Doug Lung

Doug Lung is one of America's foremost authorities on broadcast RF technology. As vice president of Broadcast Technology for NBCUniversal Local, H. Douglas Lung leads NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ RF and transmission affairs, including microwave, radars, satellite uplinks, and FCC technical filings. Beginning his career in 1976 at KSCI in Los Angeles, Lung has nearly 50 years of experience in broadcast television engineering. Beginning in 1985, he led the engineering department for what was to become the Telemundo network and station group, assisting in the design, construction and installation of the company’s broadcast and cable facilities. Other projects include work on the launch of Hawaii’s first UHF TV station, the rollout and testing of the ATSC mobile-handheld standard, and software development related to the incentive auction TV spectrum repack.
A longtime columnist for TV Technology, Doug is also a regular contributor to IEEE Broadcast Technology. He is the recipient of the 2023 NAB Television Engineering Award. He also received a Tech Leadership Award from TV Tech publisher Future plc in 2021 and is a member of the IEEE Broadcast Technology Society and the Society of Broadcast Engineers.