FCC will begin testing white spaces database

The Federal Communications Commission announced Wednesday that it will begin testing a new database system that will allow devices to take advantage of the unused spectrum between television channels known as white spaces.

"Unleashing white spaces spectrum will enable a new wave of wireless innovation," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. "It has the potential to exceed the billions of dollars in economic benefit from Wi-Fi, the last significant release of unlicensed spectrum, and drive private investment and job creation.”

The commission voted to approve the use of white spaces a year ago in hopes of spawning a new wave of wireless innovation, such as Wi-Fi networks capable of covering significantly larger areas.

But the FCC's rules require that device-makers contact a database system to obtain a list of channels that aren't currently being used by radio services at their current locations to prevent possible interference with broadcasts.

The limited, 45-day trial is intended to allow the public to test Spectrum Bridge's database system to make sure it correctly identifies bands that are available for devices to use and properly protects services authorized to use their own spectrum bands.

The trial will begin on Sept. 19 and end Nov. 2. The public can take part by accessing the database test facility here. Participants are encouraged to test the various aspects of the database and report anby inaccuracies, errors or other issues to Spectrum Bridge.

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