Unlicensed White Space Device Operations in the Television Bands, 18901-18912 [2020-06569]
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Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 65 / Friday, April 3, 2020 / Proposed Rules
(12) Instead of complying with section
9 of ASTM F1917–12, comply with the
following:
(i) 9. Instructional Literature
(ii) 9.1. Instructions shall be provided
with the product and shall be easy to
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(iii) 9.2. The instructions shall
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where applicable.
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except that sections 6.4 and 7.2–7.6.3 of
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However, the signal word and safety
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Alberta E. Mills,
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[FR Doc. 2020–06142 Filed 4–2–20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6355–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
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47 CFR Part 15
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[ET Docket No. 20–36; FCC 20–17; FRS
16585]
Unlicensed White Space Device
Operations in the Television Bands
Federal Communications
Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
In this document, the
Commission proposes to revise our rules
SUMMARY:
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to provide additional opportunities for
unlicensed white space devices
operating in the broadcast television
bands (TV Bands) to deliver wireless
broadband services in rural areas and
applications associated with the Internet
of Things (IOT). Therefore, the
Commission offers several proposals to
spur continued growth of the white
space device ecosystem, especially for
providing affordable broadband service
to rural and underserved communities
that can help close the digital divide.
DATES: Comments are due on or before
May 4, 2020; reply comments are due on
or before June 2, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by ET Docket No. 20–36, by
any of the following methods:
D Federal Communications
Commission’s Website: https://
apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
D People with Disabilities: Contact the
FCC to request reasonable
accommodations (accessible format
documents, sign language interpreters,
CART, etc.) by email: FCC504@fcc.gov
or phone: 202–418–0530 or TTY: 202–
418–0432.
For detailed instructions for
submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process,
see the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Hugh Van Tuyl, Office of Engineering
and Technology, 202–418–7506,
Hugh.VanTuyl@fcc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a
summary of the Commission’s Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, ET Docket No.
20–36, FCC 20–17, adopted on February
28, 2020, and released on March 2,
2020. The full text of this document is
available for inspection and copying
during normal business hours in the
FCC Reference Center (Room CY–A257),
445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC
20554. The full text may also be
downloaded at: https://
transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_
Business/2018/db0223/FCC-1818A1.pdf.
People with Disabilities: To request
materials in accessible formats for
people with disabilities (braille, large
print, electronic files, audio format),
send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov or call
the Consumer & Governmental Affairs
Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice), 202–
418–0432 (tty).
Synopsis
1. Background. Unlicensed white
space devices can be used to provide a
variety of wireless services, including
broadband data. Fixed white space
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18901
devices are being deployed today by
Wireless Internet Service Providers
(WISPs) to provide internet connectivity
in rural and underserved areas,
including for schools and libraries. The
Commission’s Part 15 rules allow
unlicensed white space devices to
operate at locations where frequencies
are not in use by licensed services.
2. In 2008, the Commission first
authorized unlicensed white space
device operations, both fixed and
personal/portable, in portions of the
VHF and UHF broadcast television
bands (TV bands) that were not being
used by TV broadcasters and associated
services. In 2010, 2012, and 2015, the
Commission took steps to promote
additional opportunities for unlicensed
white space devices to use spectrum in
the TV bands. To prevent harmful
interference to broadcast television
reception and other protected users,
white space devices obtain a list of
available channels and operating power
levels that may be used at their
particular location from databases
administered by private entities
approved by the Commission. Fixed
white space devices must incorporate a
geo-location capability and a means to
access a database. Portable white space
devices can either acquire a list of
available channels via another device
(Mode I), or themselves include geolocation and database access capabilities
(Mode II).
3. In the 2015 White Spaces Order, the
Commission took additional action to
promote white space device usage in the
repacked TV bands following the
broadcast TV spectrum incentive
auction, and it also authorized white
space device operations in the 600 MHz
duplex gap, in unused spectrum in the
600 MHz service band (at locations
where 600 MHz service licensees had
not commenced operations), and
unused portions of television channel
37 (in areas that would not interfere
with Radio Astronomy Service and
Wireless Medical Telemetry Service
incumbents).
4. In an effort to promote more
flexibility for white space device
operators in rural areas, the Commission
permitted fixed white space devices,
which under then-existing rules were
limited to no more than 4 watts EIRP,
to operate at higher power levels of up
to 10 watts EIRP in ‘‘less congested’’
areas, which are defined as those areas
where at least half the television
channels are unused for broadcast
services and available for white space
use. In that order, the Commission
retained the existing requirement that
fixed devices operate on antennas that
are no more than 30 meters above
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ground and no more than 250 meters
height above average terrain (HAAT).
Most recently, in March 2019, the
Commission adopted the White Spaces
Report and Order and Order on
Reconsideration, in which it provided
additional flexibility for fixed white
space devices to operate at up to 100
meters above ground in ‘‘less
congested’’ areas, but retained the 250
meter HAAT limitation based on the
record before it.
5. On May 3, 2019, Microsoft
Corporation filed a petition for
rulemaking requesting that the
Commission provide additional
flexibility for white space device
operations in the TV bands.
Specifically, Microsoft requests that the
Commission: (1) Permit fixed devices in
‘‘less congested’’ areas to operate at
higher radiated power, up to 16 watts
EIRP, to support expansion of
broadband in rural America, (2) permit
fixed devices to operate with higher
HAAT, up to 500 meters, to improve
rural coverage, (3) examine the
possibility of authorizing higher-power
operations on first-adjacent channels to
TV operations, with appropriate
safeguards to prevent harmful
interference, (4) permit higher power
mobile operations within geo-fenced
areas, and (5) adjust the rules to support
narrowband IoT white space devices.
6. The Commission sought comment
on the petition, and 21 parties filed
comments and 16 parties filed reply
comments. These commenters include
several proponents of white space
device operations generally supporting
Microsoft’s proposals, the National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB),
commenters concerned about protecting
Wireless Medical Telemetry Service
operations on Channel 37, and
commenters concerned about the
potential effect of Microsoft’s proposals
on wireless microphone users that also
operate on TV broadcast spectrum not
being used by other authorized services.
7. Discussion. The Commission
proposes targeted changes to the white
space device rules in the TV bands to
provide improved broadband coverage
that will benefit American consumers in
rural and underserved areas.
Specifically, the Commission proposes
to permit higher transmit power and
higher antenna HAAT for fixed white
space devices in ‘‘less congested’’
geographic areas. In addition, the
Commission proposes to permit higher
power mobile operation within ‘‘geofenced’’ areas. The Commission also
proposes rule revisions designed to
facilitate the development of new and
innovative narrowband IoT services.
The Commission also seeks comment on
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methods that could be used to allow
higher power operation by white space
devices when operating within the
service contour of an adjacent channel
TV station. The Commission do not
propose any rule revisions for white
space device operations above TV
channel 35, including in the 600 MHz
duplex gap or 600 MHz service band.
8. Fixed white space devices in rural
areas in the TV Bands. The Commission
proposes rule changes for fixed white
space devices that operate in the TV
bands in order to enable improved
broadband service in rural areas and
underserved areas, defined as ‘‘less
congested’’ areas in our rules.
Specifically, the Commission proposes
to increase the maximum permissible
radiated power from 10 to 16 watts EIRP
in these areas, and to increase the
maximum permissible antenna HAAT
from 250 meters to 500 meters. Because
the maximum transmission range of a
white space device is a function of both
the power and antenna HAAT, these
changes will enable white space devices
to provide broadband service over larger
areas. Given these proposed revisions,
the Commission also proposes to protect
other users of the TV bands by
increasing the minimum required
separation distances from protected TV
service contours and other protected
services for white space devices
operating at the proposed higher power
and antenna height limits, and continue
to protect Wireless Medical Telemetry
Service and Radio Astronomy Service
operations by maintaining the current
power and HAAT limits on Channel 36.
The Commission seeks comment on the
benefits or costs of these proposed
changes with respect to white space
device users and to authorized users.
9. High power limits. The rules
currently permit fixed white space
devices in the TV bands to operate with
a maximum of four watts EIRP in any
area, provided the device meets
minimum separation distances from cochannel and adjacent channel users in
the band. In addition, a fixed white
space device may operate with a higher
power of up to 10 watts EIRP in the TV
bands (except Channel 36) in ‘‘less
congested’’ areas, defined as those areas
where at least half the television
channels in the band of operation (i.e.,
low VHF, high VHF or UHF) are not in
use, and the fixed device complies with
increased separation distances from
other users in the band. Fixed white
space devices are limited to one-watt
maximum conducted transmitter power
requiring radiated power levels above
one-watt EIRP to use an antenna with
directional gain, e.g., 6 dBi to produce
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four watts EIRP, and 10 dBi to produce
10 watts EIRP.
10. In its petition, Microsoft requests
that the Commission increase the
radiated limit to permit fixed device
operation with a maximum of 16 watts
EIRP in ‘‘less congested’’ areas.
Advocates of white space device
operations support this request. NAB,
commenting on behalf of potentially
affected broadcasters, indicates that it
does not oppose this proposal provided
appropriate separation distances are
established to protect broadcasters.
Similarly, Sennheiser does not oppose
revision provided the separation
distances are revised to protect
microphone operations. Commenters
supporting Wireless Medical Telemetry
Service (WMTS) operations on Channel
37 oppose any revision that would
change the existing power limits for
white space device operations either on
Channel 37 or on adjacent Channels 36
and 38.
11. The Commission proposes to
permit fixed devices to operate in the
TV bands, up to Channel 35, with a
maximum 16 watts EIRP (12 dBW) in
‘‘less congested’’ areas. This change will
permit fixed devices used in less
congested, including rural, areas to
reach users at greater distances, thus
enabling improved broadband coverage
at less cost in these hard-to-reach areas.
Higher power will also enable signals to
better penetrate foliage, buildings, and
other obstacles, thus providing
improved coverage at locations where
there is not a direct line-of-sight to the
transmitter.
12. Specifically, the Commission
proposes to maintain the one-watt
transmitter conducted power limit for
fixed devices and require that the higher
power be achieved by using higher gain
antennas, i.e., 12 dBi to produce 16
watts EIRP with one-watt transmitter
power. Because higher gain antennas are
more highly directional, this proposed
requirement will improve spectrum
efficiency by ensuring that less white
space device energy is directed outside
the main antenna beam than would be
the case if the Commission permitted
higher transmitter power using lower
gain, less directional antennas. The
Commission also proposes that in cases
where an antenna with a gain higher
than 12 dB is used, the transmitter
power must be reduced below one-watt
by the amount in dB that the antenna
gain exceeds 12 dBi. This requirement
will ensure that the EIRP from a fixed
device does not exceed the proposed 16watt limit if a very high gain antenna is
used. To maintain protection for
Wireless Medical Telemetry Service and
radio astronomy operations on Channel
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37, the Commission do not propose to
revise our current rules to permit higher
power operations in Channel 36 or
higher at this time.
13. The Commission seeks comment
on our proposal for permitting higher
power operations in the TV bands
(Channels 2–35). Should we allow the
maximum radiated power level to
increase from 10 watts EIRP to 16 watts
EIRP in less congested areas? Would a
different maximum from that proposed
be more appropriate to enable service to
rural areas? Should we allow even
higher power levels under certain
circumstances, and if so, what power
levels and under what circumstances?
How does the proposed antenna gain
requirement affect the ability to serve
rural areas? Should that requirement be
relaxed or tightened? What are the
trade-offs, both technically and
economically, regarding the potential
for causing interference versus the
ability to serve more areas?
14. Higher antenna height above
average terrain limits. The rules
currently permit fixed white space
devices to operate with a maximum 250meter antenna HAAT. If a fixed white
space device antenna HAAT exceeds
250 meters, the white space database
will not provide a list of available
channels to the device and the device is
not permitted to operate. This
requirement was adopted to limit the
distance at which interference to other
users of the TV bands could occur.
However, an antenna HAAT limit also
precludes white space devices from
operating at certain locations, e.g., those
where the ground HAAT already
exceeds 250 meters. In the White Spaces
Order on Reconsideration, the
Commission upheld its previous
decision to maintain a 250-meter
antenna HAAT limit but stated that it
might consider increasing the limit in
the future if there were a more complete
record addressing this issue.
15. The Commission now revisits the
issue based on a more complete record.
Microsoft argues that a higher HAAT
limit subject to certain coordination
conditions would reduce the likelihood
of harmful interference. NAB expresses
support for such a change provided that
the Commission adopts a special
coordination requirement for all fixed
white space device operations above
250 meters HAAT and also adjusts the
separation distances to protect
broadcasters. Sennheiser does not
oppose this revision provided the
separation distances are revised to
protect microphone operations. WMTS
interests do not oppose an HAAT limit
provided it does not apply on Channel
37 or adjacent Channels 36 and 38.
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16. The Commission proposes to
increase the maximum permissible
antenna HAAT for fixed white space
devices operating on channels 2–35
from 250 meters to 500 meters and seek
comment on appropriate procedures
that may be necessary to ensure that
broadcaster operations and other
entities in the TV bands are protected.
As commenters note, increasing
permissible antenna HAAT will
improve broadband coverage in rural
areas by enabling signals to reach
greater distances and will enable fixed
white space devices to operate at
locations where they are not currently
permitted due to the 250-meter HAAT
limit, such as existing towers located at
higher elevations. We also note that
Microsoft, NAB and wireless interests
agree that 500 meters is an appropriate
maximum HAAT for fixed white space
devices. In addition, operation from a
higher antenna site can help increase
coverage by permitting devices to
operate above the tree line to avoid
signal losses through leaves and to
avoid clutter such as buildings. To
protect Wireless Medical Telemetry
Service and radio astronomy operations
on Channel 37, the Commission do not
propose to revise our rules to permit
operation with a higher HAAT in
Channel 36 or higher.
17. The Commission seeks comment
on this proposal. What are the benefits
of a higher HAAT limit in terms of
improved rural coverage and increased
transmitter site availability in high
elevation areas? Will the increased fixed
white space device transmission range
associated with higher HAATs limit
opportunities for spectrum sharing with
other white space devices? Would an
upper HAAT limit other than 500
meters be more appropriate? Should
white space device operations at HAATs
greater than 250 meters be limited to
less congested areas?
18. The Commission also seeks
comment on whether, as suggested by
Microsoft, it should require a
coordination procedure between white
space devices and broadcast licensees
when white space devices operate with
HAATs exceeding 250 meters.
Microsoft’s proposed coordination
procedures comprise several steps
including notifying a white space
administrators, notifying broadcast
licensees, operating on a test basis on a
30 days trial authorization, as well as a
process to submit claims of harmful
interference, investigate such claims,
and upon satisfactorily addressing any
such claims, permit authorization on a
permanent basis. While the Commission
recognizes that this proposed procedure
is designed to address NAB’s concerns
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that white space devices operating at
higher power and antenna heights could
cause harmful interference to TV
service, the Commission are concerned
about the procedure’s complexity and
whether such procedures are even
warranted given the existing obligations
of unlicensed devices to protect
authorized radio services.
19. The Commission believes that a
simpler alternative to Microsoft’s
suggested coordination procedure could
be used to achieve the same results.
Specifically, an alternative procedure
could require a party wishing to operate
a fixed white space device at HAATs
greater than 250 meters to notify
potentially affected protected entities of
their intended operation at least 48
hours in advance. The notification
would include the prospective white
space device operator’s contact
information, geographic coordinates of
the antenna, antenna height above
ground and average terrain, EIRP and
channel(s) of operation. While entities
would be expected to acknowledge
receipt of the notification, if a response
is not received within 48 hours, the
party installing the fixed white space
device would be permitted to
commence operation. Operators of fixed
white space devices with HAATs greater
than 250 meters would be required to
provide information upon request to a
potentially affected protected entity on
the white space devices’ operational
hours to help licensees determine
whether a white space device was
causing harmful interference. For
notification purposes, the Commission
would define a potentially affected
station consistent with Microsoft’s
proposal—i.e., a station would receive
notification that its broadcast contour
was within the separation distance
corresponding to an assumed HAAT 50
meters higher than the actual
deployment. To accommodate actual
deployments exceeding 450 meters
where Microsoft did not provide a
separation distance, the Commission
would add an additional row to the
table of separation distances with
relevant values.
20. The Commission seeks comment
on this procedure. As a threshold, is
such a procedure even necessary? If so,
would the proposed procedure strike
the proper balance between ensuring
interference protection for protected
entities and providing white space
device operators with the ability to
deploy devices with high HAATs in a
timely manner? Are there other
alternatives that would satisfy the same
requirements? Should protected entities
be defined as described above or is there
a better definition? What method of
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communication should a white space
device operator use to contact licensees,
e.g., email or other electronic messaging,
written mail, fax, telephone, etc.? How
would any of these coordination/
notification procedures affect the white
space database operation? Could they be
implemented quickly? What costs
would be involved?
21. Under any coordination and/or
notification procedure, previously
coordinated devices would require new
coordination/notification if a fixed
white space device is moved more than
100 meters, or when an increase is made
to the EIRP or HAAT that increases the
minimum required separation distance
from the contours of co-channel or
adjacent channel TV stations. These
proposed requirements are for the
purpose of determining when a white
space device operator must notify
potentially affected stations of changes
in the operating parameters of a device
with an HAAT above 250 meters; the
Commission are not proposing to alter
the current requirement that a fixed
white space device must notify the
database of changes in location of
greater than 50 meters or in the antenna
height above ground. The fixed white
space device would need to obtain a
new list of available channels when
moved more than 100 meters. The
Commission recognizes that Microsoft
proposed to base new coordination
requirements on a 50 meter distance
(consistent with existing rules), but
because Microsoft’s proposed distances
in the tables of required separations
from TV station contours are rounded to
the nearest 0.1 kilometer (100 meters),
the Commissions see no reason to
require a new coordination for changes
less than this amount. The Commission
also notes that the HAAT levels in the
proposed table of separation distances is
defined in 50-meter steps for HAAT’s
above 250 meters. Thus, there would be
no need to require new coordination/
notification for small HAAT increases
within a 50-meter step. The Commission
seeks comment on this proposal.
22. The Commission is not proposing
that white space devices operate during
a specific test or trial period as
suggested by Microsoft. White space
devices, like all other unlicensed
devices, must not cause harmful
interference to authorized services and
must cease interference if harmful
interference occurs. Additionally,
licensees can bring claims of harmful
interference to the Commission or the
party operating unlicensed devices at
any time, so the Commission do not
believe that a 30-day trial period is
necessary. The Commission seeks
comment on this view.
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23. Antenna height above ground. In
a related matter, the Commission seeks
comment on whether the Commission
should increase or remove the limit on
antenna height above ground level. The
Commission previously increased the
maximum permissible antenna height
above ground from 30 meters to 100
meters in ‘‘less congested’’ areas in the
White Spaces Order on Reconsideration.
The Commission took this action to
improve wireless broadband service to
persons in rural and other underserved
areas, noting that a 100-meter antenna
height above ground limit will benefit
wireless broadband providers and users
by permitting antennas to be mounted
on towers or other structures at heights
sufficient to clear intervening obstacles
such as trees and hills that would
attenuate the transmitted signal, thereby
increasing the range at which the signal
can be received. The Commission made
no changes to the rule limiting
maximum antenna HAAT to 250 meters
at that time.
24. In light of our proposal to increase
the maximum antenna HAAT to 500
meters in this NPRM, the Commission
believes it is appropriate to re-examine
the antenna height above ground limit.
Antenna heights above ground and
average terrain are directly related, in
that any change to a station’s antenna
height above ground changes its HAAT
by the same amount, e.g., a 30-meter
increase in height above ground
increases the HAAT by 30 meters.
However, the Commission notes that
limiting the antenna height above
ground may also limit the maximum
achievable HAAT in areas where the
terrain is flat since in those areas the
HAAT will be approximately the same
as, or not significantly higher than, the
antenna height above ground. Therefore,
the antenna height above ground limit
(30 or 100 meters) may preclude white
space device operators from taking
advantage of the higher HAAT limit we
are proposing, or even the current 250meter limit. Moreover, the Commission
notes that the distance separation rules
to protect TV reception are based on
HAAT, not antenna height above ground
level.
25. Accordingly, the Commission
seeks comment on whether they should
make any changes to the antenna height
above ground limit. Does the current
antenna above ground limit restrict
flexibility to design and deploy white
space networks? Should the
Commission increase the antenna height
above ground limit, and if so, by how
much? Should the Commission remove
the height above ground level limit
completely and rely only on HAAT?
Given that the separation distances are
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based only on HAAT and not the
antenna height above ground, what
effect, if any, would such a change have
on the potential of causing harmful
interference to a protected service? If the
Commission modifies or remove the
antenna height above ground limit,
should the modified rules apply across
the entire U.S. or only in certain areas
(e.g., ‘‘less congested areas’’)
26. Separation distance. Because
white space device operations must
protect other authorized services from
harmful interference, with our proposed
increases in fixed white space device
maximum permissible radiated power
and antenna HAAT in the TV bands, we
also propose increases in the minimum
required separation distances between
white space devices operating at higher
power/HAAT in order to protect these
other authorized services from harmful
interference.
27. The Commission seeks comment
on these proposals. Do the proposed
separation distances for the higher
power and antenna HAAT levels
provide adequate protection to cochannel and adjacent channel TV
service? Are any other changes
necessary to protect TV service in light
of the proposed power and HAAT
levels?
28. Protection of other operations in
the TV bands. In addition to the
broadcast television service, white space
devices must protect certain other
operations in the TV bands. These
include TV translator receive sites, Low
Power TV (including Class A) receive
sites, Multi-channel Video Programming
Distributor (MVPD) receive sites, fixed
Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) links,
the private land mobile radio and
commercial mobile radio services
(PLMRS/CMRS), and Low Power
Auxiliary Station services (referenced
herein as licensed wireless
microphones). When the Commission
increased the maximum power for fixed
white space devices operating in less
congested areas from 4 watts EIRP to 10
watts EIRP in the White Spaces Order in
2015, it also slightly increased the
minimum required separation distances
from TV translator receive sites,
PLMRS/CMRS, and temporary BAS
links. Because we are now proposing to
increase the maximum fixed white
space device EIRP from 10 watts to 16
watts, and the maximum HAAT from
250 meters to 500 meters, we are
proposing to make additional changes to
the protection criteria for operations in
the TV bands other than broadcasting.
29. The Commission proposes
changes to the keyhole shaped
exclusion zone that is specified to
protect the receive sites of TV
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translators, low power TV stations,
Class A TV stations, MVPDs, and BAS
facilities from white space devices.
Under the current rules, white space
devices are prohibited from operating
co-channel and adjacent channel to the
TV channel(s) being received by these
facilities over an arc of ±30 degrees from
a line between the receive site and each
associated transmitter. The protection
zone extends to a maximum distance of
80 kilometers from the protected
receiver toward its associated
transmitter for co-channel operations
and to 20 kilometers for adjacent
channel operation. In addition, to
prevent interference from white space
device signals outside the main beam of
the protected receive antenna, white
space devices are prohibited from
operating within a circular area of 10.2
kilometers co-channel and 2.5
kilometers adjacent channel from the
receive sites in all directions off the ±30
degree arc when a white space device
operates at an EIRP between four and
ten watts. The Commission believes the
80-kilometer co-channel and 20kilometer adjacent channel protection
distances are large enough to
sufficiently protect these protected
receive sites from interference from
fixed devices operating at 16 watts EIRP.
However, to protect these sites from
white space devices that are located
outside the main beam, the Commission
believes a modest increase in distance is
necessary. The Commission are
therefore proposing to adjust those
distances to prohibit fixed devices
operating with EIRPs greater than 10
watts from operating within 16.6
kilometers co-channel and 3.5
kilometers adjacent channel outside the
±30 degree arc of the protected received
site. The Commission seeks comment on
this proposal. Is an increase in
separation distances necessary within
the main beam of the antenna, and if so,
what are the appropriate distances and
how should they be calculated? Are
increased separation distances
necessary to protect receive sites outside
the main beam of the receive antenna,
and are the proposed separation
distances appropriate?
30. The Commission also proposes
changes to the protection criteria for the
private land mobile radio services and
commercial mobile radio services
(PLMRS/CMRS). These services operate
on TV channels 14–20 in 11 major
markets and in some additional areas
under rule waivers. PLMRS/CMRS
operations are protected from
interference from white space devices
through a circular exclusion zone
extending from the center of each
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market, or from specific geographic
coordinates for operations under a
waiver. These exclusion zones are based
on the Commission’s methodology
described in the White Spaces Second
Report and Order. Using the same
methodology the Commission
previously used to determine the
protection zones, the Commission
proposes that fixed white space devices
operating at more than 10 watts EIRP in
less congested areas may not operate
within a circular exclusion zone of
139.2 kilometers co-channel and 132.2
kilometers adjacent channel of the 11
major markets where PLMRS/CMRS
stations are permitted to operate and
within 59.2 kilometers co-channel and
52.2 kilometers adjacent channel of
PLMRS/CMRS base stations operating
outside the 11 major markets under a
waiver. The Commission seeks
comment on these proposals. Are the
proposed separation distances
appropriate to protect PLMRS/CMRS
operations? Should we define three sets
of exclusion zones based on power
levels, e.g., up to four watts, between
four and ten watts, and greater than ten
watts, or should we combine two or
more tiers for simplicity as there is not
a large difference between them? What
effect might these proposals have on
implementing the statutory directive for
the Commission to transition public
safety operations out of T-Band and
auction the spectrum for use by other
services?
31. With regard to licensed wireless
microphones, the Commission proposes
to increase the minimum required
separation distance from fixed white
space devices operating at power levels
greater than 10 watts from one kilometer
to 1.3 kilometers. This proposed change
is intended to provide the same
protection level to licensed wireless
microphones as the current rules. The
Commission calculated this increased
distance using the conservative
assumption of free space propagation.
The Commission seeks comment on this
proposal. Is it necessary to increase the
minimum required separation distance
from licensed wireless microphones,
and is our proposed distance
appropriate?
32. The Commission seeks comment
on whether any changes are necessary to
the definition of ‘‘less congested’’ area
given the revised rules that the
Commission are proposing in this
NPRM. Is the current definition
appropriate, i.e., that half the channels
in the band of operation be vacant? If
not, what is an appropriate metric for
defining ‘‘less congested’’ area? Because
the number of vacant channels at a
location can vary based on the EIRP and
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HAAT of a white space device, should
we define vacant channels at a
particular antenna height and power
level? Nominet expressed concern that
because the required separation
distances from TV station contours vary
according to white space device HAAT,
it can be difficult to determine the
precise number of channels that may be
vacant in any given area. Nominet
proposes that the Commission revise the
definition to one based on population
density, which would make it easier to
determine where devices that operate
with higher power or antenna height
can be deployed to serve more rural
areas. Should the Commission instead
base the definition of ‘‘less congested’’
on the population density of an area
where the white space device is located
as suggested by Nominet? If the
Commission were to adopt a definition
of ‘‘less congested’’ based on population
density, what is the appropriate
population density and how would the
white space database determine whether
a location meets the definition? How
would such changes affect the
availability of ‘‘less congested’’ areas
compared to those available today?
Would such areas be more pervasive? Or
less? Are there other technical
requirements the Commission could
adopt in conjunction with a change to
the definition of ‘‘less congested’’ areas
to reduce the potential of causing
harmful interference when higher EIRP
and HAATs are used? Finally, the
Commission requests comment on the
benefits or costs of any changes to the
Commission’s current definition.
33. Higher power mobile operation
within ‘‘geo-fenced’’ areas. The white
space rules permit two general classes of
devices, fixed devices and personal/
portable devices. As noted above, under
the current rules fixed white space
devices may operate with up to four
watts EIRP generally, and up to 10 watts
in ‘‘less congested’’ areas. Personal/
portable devices may operate with a
maximum EIRP of 100 milliwatts, may
load channel availability information for
multiple locations from the white space
database and use that information to
define a geographic area within which
it can operate on a mobile basis on the
same available channels at all locations,
and they must contact the database
again if they move beyond the boundary
of the area where the channel
availability data is valid.
34. In its petition, Microsoft requests
that the Commission permit the use of
fixed devices on mobile platforms, such
as school buses or agricultural
equipment, within ‘‘geo-fenced’’ areas,
i.e., defined geographic areas over
which a mobile device is permitted to
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operate. This proposal is analogous in
many respects to the rules for personal/
portable devices that are permitted to
operate within a defined geographic
area. Microsoft, however, proposes to
permit mobile white space devices to
operate at higher power levels than the
rules currently permit for personal/
portable devices (i.e., at the same power
level as is permitted for fixed white
space devices), and proposes specific
additional restrictions to prevent
harmful interference to users of the TV
bands. Advocates of white space device
operations generally support Microsoft’s
proposal.
35. The Commission proposes to
allow white space devices to operate on
TV Channels 2–35 on mobile platforms
within geo-fenced areas at higher power
levels than the rules currently permit for
portable devices, and proposes to limit
such operations to ‘‘less congested’’
areas to limit their potential for causing
harmful interference. Microsoft suggests
that the Commission permits fixed
devices to operate on mobile platforms.
However, because fixed stations, by
definition, are stations that
communicate between fixed points (i.e.,
stations that do not move), the
Commission are instead proposing to
allow mobile Mode II personal/portable
white space devices to operate at higher
power levels commensurate with that
allowed for fixed devices within ‘‘less
congested’’ areas and limited to precleared geo-fenced areas. These types of
geo-fenced operations could benefit
persons in rural areas by enabling
improved communications on moving
vehicles such as school buses and
agricultural equipment, and for
applications such as monitoring
roaming livestock. The Commission
seeks comment on the benefits or costs
of this proposal with respect to white
space device users or other authorized
users of the TV band spectrum.
36. The Commission proposes to
permit a higher power Mode II white
space device installed on a movable
platform to load channel availability
information for multiple locations in the
vicinity of its current location and to
use that information to define a geofenced area within which it can operate
on the same available channels at all
locations. Consistent with the
requirements for Mode II personal/
portable devices, The Commission
proposes to require that the white space
device’s location be checked at least
once every 60 seconds while in
operation, except while in sleep mode,
i.e., in a mode in which the device is
inactive but is not powered-down. The
Commission recognizes, however, that
checks every 60 seconds may be
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insufficient to protect services in
locations where coverage contours and
usage of wireless microphones varies
rapidly from one location to the next. To
limit the potential of movable devices to
cause harmful interference, we propose
that a device may not use channel
availability information for multiple
locations if/when it moves closer than
1.6 kilometers to the boundary of the
geo-fenced area in which the device
operates, or at any point outside that
boundary. This proposed limitation is
designed to ensure that a device moving
at 60 miles per hour (1.6 kilometers per
minute) does not cross outside the
boundary between device re-checks of
its location. We further propose, as
recommended by NAB, to prohibit
operation on board aircraft or satellites
to limit the range at which interference
could occur.
37. The Commission seeks comment
on these proposals. Should the
Commission allow Mode II portable
devices to operate at higher power in
‘‘less congested’’ areas, and how would
such operations benefit persons in those
areas? Should the Commission instead
permit devices operating under the
fixed device rules to operate on mobile
platforms as suggested by Microsoft and
others? What effect would either
approach have on the equipment
approval process for white space
devices? For example, could portable
Mode II devices be approved at the
higher power level for general usage
because the database would limit the
amount of power that they could use for
operations in any specific area? What
antenna requirements should apply to
higher power mobile devices? The
Commission notes that under the
current rules, fixed devices may use
detachable antennas with high gain,
whereas portable devices must use
permanently attached antennas, which
can have the effect of limiting antenna
size and gain. Should the Commission
allow higher power mobile devices to
use detachable, higher gain antennas as
we permit for fixed devices? Can
technologies such as electronically
steerable beams allow mobile devices to
operate with higher gain, and therefore
more highly directional, antennas? If the
Commission permits use of detachable
antennas for higher power mobile white
space devices, should the Commission
create a new class of white space
devices, such as mobile white space
devices, to distinguish such devices
from personal/portable white space
devices? Are there other rules that need
to be modified or limitations that should
be imposed for such use?
38. The Commission also seeks
comment on other requirements for
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higher power mobile white space
devices. Are the proposed operational
limitations sufficient to protect other
users of the TV bands, including
television, cable headends, translator
receive sites and wireless microphone
users? Do the Commission need to place
limitations on the size of the area over
which a higher power mobile device
could operate? Is four watts an
appropriate maximum power to permit
for such operations or should a different
maximum power level be permitted
(e.g., 10 watts or 16 watts EIRP)? Would
mobile devices operating at higher
power levels be able to comply with the
Commission’s RF safety requirements?
Do the Commission need to specify how
information on an area will be provided
to the white space database? Are any
other safeguards needed to ensure that
higher power mobile devices do not
cause harmful interference to protected
operations, especially operations that
are close to, but outside, the edge of a
pre-cleared geo-fenced area? Are there
concerns about coexistence between
higher power mobile white space
devices and other mobile or fixed white
space devices? Is there a need to
prohibit operation on board aircraft and
satellites or any other mobile platforms
such as trains and boats? Should the
Commission limit operation of higher
power mobile devices to less congested
areas as we propose and as suggested by
some commenters? Are any changes to
the white space databases needed to
permit the proposed operation?
39. Narrowband IoT operations. Fixed
white space devices operating with four
watts or greater EIRP must comply with
a power spectral density (PSD) limit of
12.6 dBm per 100 kilohertz, which
limits total conducted power within any
6-megahertz television channel to 30
dBm. The PSD limit is proportionally
lower for devices operating at lower
EIRP levels. The Commission
established PSD limits to prevent
multiple white space devices from
operating at the maximum allowable
power with transmit bandwidths less
than six megahertz within a single
television channel, which would result
in a total transmitted power within that
channel significantly greater than the
limit. These PSD limits were calculated
based upon a single white space device
spreading its energy uniformly across a
6-megahertz television channel
bandwidth. The limits serve to limit the
maximum power of white space devices
with bandwidths of less than 6megahertz, e.g., a white space device
that operates with a bandwidth of half
a television channel would be limited to
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half the power of a device that operates
across a full channel.
40. The Commission proposes to
modify the white space rules to
facilitate the deployment of narrowband
IoT devices. TV band frequencies are
better able to penetrate foliage and other
obstacles than higher frequencies, thus
providing improved transmission range
for IoT devices. Specifically, we propose
to define a ‘‘narrowband white space
device’’ as a type of fixed or personal/
portable white space device operating in
a bandwidth of no greater than 100 kHz.
We also propose that narrowband white
space devices be client devices that
communicate with a fixed or Mode II
master device that contacts the white
space database to obtain a list of
available channels and operating
powers at its location.
41. The Commission proposes to
permit narrowband white space devices
to operate with a conducted PSD of up
to 12.6 dBm/100 kHz, which is the same
level permitted for fixed devices that
operate with the maximum permissible
one-watt conducted power in a six
megahertz channel, and to require
narrowband devices to comply with the
same maximum antenna gain
requirements as fixed devices. The
Commission further proposes to require
narrowband white space devices to
comply with an emission limit of ¥42.8
dBm into adjacent channels, i.e., outside
of the six-megahertz channel in which
they operate. These proposed
requirements will clarify that a white
space device can operate with a single
or several narrowband carriers rather
than having to spread all of its energy
across a six megahertz channel and will
ensure that narrowband white space
devices have no greater interference
potential than wider bandwidth devices
operating under the current rules. To
ensure that the total energy in a single
TV channels does not cause harmful
interference, the Commission proposes
to limit each transmitter to a total
operation of ten seconds per hour. The
Commission believes that this proposal
will prevent narrowband IoT devices
from being used for data intensive
applications, including continuous
transmissions, transmissions of audio
and video or remote control of toys.
42. The Commission proposes to
require narrowband devices to use a
channel plan that limits total
transmitted power in a six-megahertz
channel to no higher than the existing
limits for a four-watt EIRP broadband
white space device. Specifically, we
propose to require narrowband white
space devices to operate at least 250
kilohertz from the edge of a sixmegahertz TV channel, unless the
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adjacent channel is also vacant, and to
permit narrowband white space devices
to operate only on channels centered at
integral multiples of 100 kHz between
the 250 kHz guard bands. The net effect
of these proposed requirements is that
narrowband devices could operate
within 55 possible 100-kilohertz
channels in the center 5.5 megahertz of
each six-megahertz channel. Even in the
event that all 55 narrowband channels
within a six-megahertz channel were
occupied simultaneously by devices
operating at maximum power, the
maximum conducted and radiated
power within that six-megahertz
channel would be no greater than for a
fixed device operating with one-watt
conducted power and four watts EIRP.
43. The Commission seeks comment
on these proposals. Is the proposed
definition of narrowband white space
device appropriate for the intended IoT
applications? Should narrowband
personal/portable devices be subject to
lower emission limits than those
proposed since the proposed limits are
based on four-watt EIRP fixed devices?
Is it necessary for the Commission to
require a listen-before-talk spectrum
access mechanism to prevent harmful
interference to protected services in the
TV bands? If the Commission were to
require such a mechanism, what
parameters would it need to specify,
e.g., monitoring threshold, monitoring
time, receiver bandwidth, receive
antenna specifications? If we require
narrowband devices to operate as clients
to a fixed device that contacts the white
space database, is there a need to
increase the minimum separation
distances from co-channel and adjacent
channel TV station contours as we
require for personal/portable devices
operating as clients? Are the proposed
maximum PSD, out-of-band emission
and antenna gain limits appropriate for
narrowband devices? Is the proposed
data transmission limit of ten seconds
per hour necessary to prevent data
intensive operations? Is a
channelization plan necessary, and if so,
is the proposed plan appropriate? Are
any other revisions to the proposed
rules appropriate to protect licensed
wireless microphone operations given
that such operations would be protected
when registered in the white spaces
database? Finally, are there any other
revisions to the rules for narrowband
operations that should be adopted to
protect any other authorized service that
operate in the TV bands from harmful
interference by narrowband white space
devices?
44. Higher power on adjacent
channels. Among the requirements for
white space device operations are that
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operations above 40 milliwatts EIRP
must generally operate outside the
protected contours of adjacent channel
TV stations. That’s because a strong
signal on an adjacent channel can cause
interference to the reception of a
channel being viewed. The general
requirement that all fixed white space
devices avoid operation within adjacent
channel protected contours means that,
as a practical matter, a white space
device may operate only at locations
where there are three contiguous vacant
channels, i.e., the channel used by the
white space device plus both adjacent
channels. The Commission’s rules do,
however, provide an exception for
operation of low power white space
devices on adjacent channels because of
the shorter distances at which
interference to the adjacent channel TV
station could occur. Specifically, fixed
white space devices may operate within
the protected contour of adjacent
channel TV stations with a power level
of 100 milliwatts EIRP when the white
space device operates in a six-megahertz
band centered on the boundary of two
contiguous vacant channels, i.e., 50
milliwatts within a three-megahertz
band in each channel.
45. The Commission seeks comment
on the ideas suggested by Microsoft and
others to develop a record on this issue.
Could more sophisticated computer
models, such as Longley-Rice, be used
to permit higher power unlicensed
operations on adjacent channels? If so,
how? Are they sufficiently precise to
identify areas where the desired TV
signal strength is sufficiently high that
interference from adjacent channel
white space devices is unlikely? What
specific technical parameters would
need to be considered or specified in
such calculations, e.g., desired TV
signal strength, appropriate grid size for
determining where interference could
occur, desired-to-undesired signal
ratios, white space device power and
antenna height? Is there any information
available on adjacent channel selectivity
and interference rejection capabilities of
next generation TV receivers, such as
manufacturers’ specifications or actual
measurement results? Is there any
indication that next generation TV
receivers will in fact have better
adjacent channel interference rejection
than current receivers? The Commission
notes that while some parties advocated
for tighter out-of-band emission limits
for white space devices, others believe
that the current limits are already too
stringent. Would tighter out-of-band
emission limits for white space devices
result in any reduction in the potential
for interference to adjacent channel TV
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reception? Are there other factors we
can consider or steps that users or white
space databases can take to provide for
more widespread use of white space
devices near or within the contour of
first adjacent television channels?
Commenters should provide technical
detail and analysis supporting their
position on this issue.
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Procedural Matters
46. Paperwork Reduction Act
Analysis. This document contains
proposed new or modified information
collection requirements. The
Commission, as part of its continuing
effort to reduce paperwork burdens,
invites the general public and the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) to
comment on the information collection
requirements contained in this
document, as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–
13. In addition, pursuant to the Small
Business Paperwork Relief Act of 2002,
Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(4), we seek specific comment on
how we might further reduce the
information collection burden for small
business concerns with fewer than 25
employees.
47. Initial Regulatory Flexibility
Analysis. As required by the Regulatory
Flexibility Act, the Commission has
prepared an Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the
possible significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities of
the proposals addressed in this Notice.
The Full IRFA is found in Appendix C
at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/
attachments/FCC-20-17A1.pdf. The
Commission requests written public
comment on the IRFA. Comments must
be filed in accordance with the same
filing deadlines as comments filed in
response to the NPRM and must have a
separate and distinct heading
designating them as responses to the
IRFA. The Commission’s Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference
Information Center, will send a copy of
this Notice, including the IRFA, to the
Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration, in accordance
with the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
48. Filing Requirements. Pursuant to
§§ 1.415 and 1.419 of the Commission’s
rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested
parties may file comments and reply
comments on or before the dates
indicated on the first page of this
document. Comments may be filed
using the Commission’s Electronic
Comment Filing System (ECFS). See
Electronic Filing of Documents in
Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121
(1998).
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D Electronic Filers: Comments may be
filed electronically using the internet by
accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/
ecfs/.
D Paper Filers: Parties who choose to
file by paper must file an original and
one copy of each filing. If more than one
docket or rulemaking number appears in
the caption of this proceeding, filers
must submit two additional copies for
each additional docket or rulemaking
number.
Filings can be sent by hand or
messenger delivery, by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or
overnight U.S. Postal Service mail. All
filings must be addressed to the
Commission’s Secretary, Office of the
Secretary, Federal Communications
Commission.
D All hand-delivered or messengerdelivered paper filings for the
Commission’s Secretary must be
delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445
12th St. SW, Room TW–A325,
Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours
are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand
deliveries must be held together with
rubber bands or fasteners. Any
envelopes and boxes must be disposed
of before entering the building.
D Commercial overnight mail (other
than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail
and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050
Junction Drive, Annapolis Junction, MD
20701.
D U.S. Postal Service first-class,
Express, and Priority mail must be
addressed to 445 12th Street SW,
Washington, DC 20554.
49. People with Disabilities. To
request materials in accessible formats
for people with disabilities (braille,
large print, electronic files, audio
format), send an email to fcc504@fcc.gov
or call the Consumer & Governmental
Affairs Bureau at 202–418–0530 (voice),
202–418–0432 (tty).
50. Additional Information. For
additional information on this
proceeding, contact Hugh L. Van Tuyl,
Hugh.VanTuyl@fcc.gov, (202) 418–7506.
Ordering Clauses
51. It is ordered, pursuant to the
authority found in sections 4(i), 201,
302, and 303 of the Communications
Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C.
154(i), 201, 302a, 303, and §§ 1.407 and
1.411 of the Commission’s Rules, 47
CFR 1.407 and 1.411, that this Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking is hereby
adopted. The petition for rulemaking of
Microsoft Corporation, ET Docket No.
14–165 and RM–11840, is hereby
granted to the extent discussed herein,
and shall be consolidated into ET
Docket No. 20–36.
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52. It is further ordered that notice is
hereby given of the proposed regulatory
changes described in this Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking, and that
comment is sought on these proposals.
53. It is further ordered that the
Commission’s Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference
Information Center, shall send a copy of
this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking,
including the Initial Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small
Business Administration.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 15
Communications equipment and
Reporting recordkeeping requirements.
Federal Communications Commission.
Cecilia Sigmund,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the
Secretary.
Proposed Rules
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Federal Communications
Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR
part 15 as follows:
Part 15 of Title 47 of the Code of
Federal Regulations is proposed to be
amended as follows:
PART 15—RADIO FREQUENCY
DEVICES
The authority citation for part 15
continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 304,
307, 336, 544a, and 549.
1. Amend § 15.703 by removing the
paragraph designations and adding a
new definition in alphabetical order to
read as follows:
■
§ 15.703
Definitions.
*
*
*
*
*
Narrowband white space device. A
fixed or personal/portable white space
device operating in a bandwidth of no
greater than 100 kHz.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 2. Amend § 15.707 by adding
paragraph (c) to read as follows:
§ 15.707 Permissible channels of
operation.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) Narrowband white space devices
may only operate on frequencies below
608 MHz.
■ 3. Amend § 15.709 by:
■ a. Revising paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(1)(ii)
and (iii),
■ b. Adding paragraph (b)(4) and
■ c. Revising paragraphs (c)(2) and
(g)(1)(ii).
The additions and revisions read as
follows:
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§ 15.709
General technical requirements.
(a) * * *
(2) TV bands and 600 MHz service
band. (i) (A) Fixed devices in the TV
bands below 602 MHz: Up to 4 W (36
dBm) EIRP, and up to 16 W (42 dBm)
EIRP in less congested areas. Fixed
devices in the 602–608 MHz band may
operate with up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP.
(B) Fixed devices in the 600 MHz
service bands above 620 MHz: Up to 4
W (36 dBm) EIRP, and up to 10 W (40
dBm) EIRP in less congested areas.
Fixed devices that operate in any
portion of the 614–620 MHz band may
operate with up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) For operation at EIRP levels of 36
dBm (4,000 mW) or less, fixed white
space devices may operate at EIRP
levels between the values shown in the
table in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this
section provided that the conducted
power and the conducted power
spectral density (PSD) limits are linearly
interpolated between the values shown
and the adjacent channel emission limit
of the higher value shown in the table
is met. Operation at EIRP levels above
36 dBm (4000 mW) but not greater than
40 dBm (10,000 mW) shall follow the
requirements for 40 dBm (10,000 mW).
Operation at EIRP levels above 40 dBm
(10,000 mW) shall follow the
requirements for 42 dBm (16,000 mW).
(iii) The conducted power spectral
density from a fixed white space device
shall not be greater than the values
shown in the table in this paragraph
(b)(1)(iii) when measured in any 100
kHz band during any time interval of
continuous transmission.
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (b)(1)(iii)
EIRP
(6 MHz)
16
20
24
28
32
36
40
42
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
Conducted power limit
(6 MHz)
(40 mW) ..............................................
(100 mW) ............................................
(250 mW) ............................................
(625 mW) ............................................
(1600 mW) ..........................................
(4000 mW) ..........................................
(10000 mW) ........................................
(16000 mW) ........................................
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*
*
*
*
*
(4) Narrowband white space devices.
(i) Narrowband white space devices
shall operate on channel sizes that are
no more than 100 kHz. The edge of a
narrowband channel shall be offset from
the upper and lower edge of the 6 MHz
channel in which it operates by at least
250 kHz, except in the case where
bonded 6 MHz channels share a
common band edge. Narrowband
channels of operation shall be at integral
multiples of 100 kHz beginning at a 250
kHz offset from a 6 MHz channel’s edge,
or with no offset at the common band
edge of two bonded 6 MHz channels.
(ii) The conducted power limit is 12.6
dBm in a 100 kHz segment. The EIRP
limit is 18.6 dBm in a 100 kHz segment.
The conducted power spectral density
limit is 12.6 dBm in any 100 kHz band
during any time interval of continuous
transmission.
(iii) Conducted adjacent channel
emissions shall be limited to ¥42.8
dBm in 100 kHz in a first adjacent 6
MHz channel, starting at the edge of the
6 MHz channel within which the
narrowband device is operating. This
limit shall not apply between the edge
of the narrowband channel and the edge
of the 6 MHz channel that contains it.
(iv) If transmitting antennas of
directional gain greater than 6 dBi are
used, the maximum conducted power
output shall be reduced by the amount
in dB that the directional gain of the
antenna exceeds 6 dBi.
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10
14
18
22
26
30
30
30
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
dBm
(10 mW) ............................................
(25 mW) ............................................
(63 mW) ............................................
(158 mW) ..........................................
(400 mW) ..........................................
(1000 mW) ........................................
(1000 mW) ........................................
(1000 mW) ........................................
(v) Total channel occupancy shall be
limited to 10 seconds per hour.
(c) * * *
(2) The conducted power, PSD and
adjacent channel limits for fixed white
space devices operating at greater than
36 dBm (4000 milliwatts) EIRP shown
in the table in paragraph (b)(1) of this
section are based on a maximum
transmitting antenna gain of 12 dBi. If
transmitting antennas of directional gain
greater than 12 dBi are used, the
maximum conducted output power
shall be reduced by the amount in dB
that the directional gain of the antenna
exceeds 12 dBi.
*
*
*
*
*
(g) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Height above average terrain
(HAAT). For operation in the 602–608
MHz band and the 600 MHz service
bands, the transmit antenna shall not be
located where its height above average
terrain exceeds 250 meters. For
operation in the TV bands below 602
MHz, the transmit antenna shall not be
located where its height above average
terrain exceeds 250 meters generally, or
500 meters in less congested areas. The
HAAT is to be calculated by the white
space database using the methodology
in § 73.684(d) of this chapter. For HAAT
greater than 250 meters the following
coordination procedures are required:
(A) The installing party must contact
a white space database and identify all
TV broadcast station contours that
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Conducted PSD limit 1
(100 kHz)
Conducted adjacent
channel emission limit
(100 kHz)
¥7.4 dBm ..................
¥3.4 dBm ..................
0.6 dBm ......................
4.6 dBm ......................
8.6 dBm ......................
12.6 dBm ....................
12.6 dBm ....................
12.6 dBm ....................
¥62.8
¥58.8
¥54.8
¥50.8
¥46.8
¥42.8
¥42.8
¥42.8
dBm.
dBm.
dBm.
dBm.
dBm.
dBm.
dBm.
dBm.
would be potentially affected by
operation at the planned HAAT and
EIRP. A potentially affected TV station
is one where the protected service
contour would be within the applicable
separation distance if the white space
device was operating at a HAAT of 50
meters above the planned height at the
proposed power level.
(B) The installing party must notify
each of these licensees and provide the
geographic coordinates of the white
space device, relevant technical
parameters of the proposed deployment,
and contact information.
(C) No earlier than 48 hours after this
notification, the installing party may
commence operations.
(D) Upon request, the installing party
must provide each potentially affected
licensee with information on the time
periods of operations.
(E) If the installing party seeks to
modify its operations by increasing its
power level, by moving more than 100
meters horizontally from its location, or
by making an increase in the HAAT or
EIRP of the white space device that
results in an increase in the minimum
required separation distances from cochannel or adjacent channel TV station
contours, it must conduct a new
coordination.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 4. Amend § 15.711 by adding
paragraph (c)(3) to read as follows:
E:\FR\FM\03APP1.SGM
03APP1
18910
§ 15.711
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 65 / Friday, April 3, 2020 / Proposed Rules
Interference avoidance methods.
*
*
*
*
*
(c) * * *
(3) A Mode II device installed on a
movable platform in less congested
areas may load channel availability
information for multiple locations in the
vicinity of its current location. It may
use that information to define a
geographic area within which it can
operate on the same available channels
at all locations. A device may not use
channel availability information for
multiple locations if/when it moves
within 1.6 km of the boundary of the
area where the channel availability data
is valid, or outside that boundary. The
location must be checked at least once
every 60 seconds while the white space
device is in operation except while in
sleep mode, i.e., in a mode in which the
device is inactive but is not powereddown. Operation on board aircraft or
satellites is prohibited.
*
*
*
*
*
■ 5. Amend § 15.712 by:
■ a. Revising the introductory text and
paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(3)(ii) and (iii),
b. Adding new paragraphs (b)(3)(iv);
c. Revising paragraph (c)(2)(ii);
d. Adding paragraph (c)(2)(iii) and
e. Revising paragraphs (d), (f), and
(i)(1)
The additions and revisions read as
follows:
■
■
■
■
§ 15.712 Interference protection
requirements.
The separation distances in this
section apply to fixed and personal/
portable white space devices with a
location accuracy of ±50 meters. These
distances must be increased by the
amount that the location uncertainty of
a white space device exceeds ±50
meters. Narrowband white space
devices shall comply with the
separation distances applicable to a
fixed white space device operating with
30 dBm conducted power and 36 dBm
EIRP across a 6 MHz channel.
(a) * * *
(2) Required separation distance.
White space devices must be located
outside the contours indicated in
paragraph (a)(1) of this section of cochannel and adjacent channel stations
by at least the minimum distances
specified in the tables in paragraph
(a)(2)(v).
(i) If a device operates between two
defined power levels, it must comply
with the separation distances for the
higher power level.
(ii) White space devices operating at
40 mW EIRP or less are not required to
meet the adjacent channel separation
distances.
(iii) Fixed white space devices
operating at 100 mW EIRP or less per 6
megahertz across multiple contiguous
TV channels with at least 3-megahertz
separation between the frequency band
occupied by the white space device and
adjacent TV channels are not required to
meet the adjacent channel separation
distances.
(iv) Fixed white space devices may
only operate above 4 W EIRP in less
congested areas as defined in § 15.703.
(v) The following are the tables of
minimum required separation distances
outside the contours of co-channel and
adjacent channel stations that white
space devices must meet.
TABLE 2 TO SECTION 15.712(a)(2)(v)
Mode II personal/portable white space devices
Required separation in
kilometers from co-channel
digital or analog TV
(full service or low power)
protected contour
16 dBm
(40 mW)
Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device .........................................................................................................
Communicating with Mode I device ........................................................................................................................
20 dBm
(100 mW)
1.3
2.6
1.7
3.4
TABLE 3 TO SECTION 15.712(a)(2)(v)
Fixed white space devices
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Antenna height above
average terrain of
unlicensed devices
(meters)
Less than 3 ......................
3–10 .................................
10–30 ...............................
30–50 ...............................
50–75 ...............................
75–100 .............................
100–150 ...........................
150–200 ...........................
200–250 ...........................
250–300 ...........................
300–350 ...........................
350–400 ...........................
400–450 ...........................
450–500 ...........................
Required separation in kilometers from co-channel digital or analog TV
(full service or low power) protected contour *
16 dBm
(40 mW)
20 dBm
(100 mW)
1.3
2.4
4.2
5.4
6.6
7.7
9.4
10.9
12.1
13.9
15.3
16.6
17.6
18.3
24 dBm
(250 mW)
1.7
3.1
5.1
6.5
7.9
9.2
11.1
12.7
14.3
16.4
17.9
19.3
20.4
21.4
2.1
3.8
6.0
7.7
9.4
10.9
13.2
15.8
18.2
20.0
21.7
23.2
24.4
25.5
28 dBm
(625 mW)
2.7
4.8
7.1
9.2
11.1
12.8
16.5
19.5
22.0
23.9
25.7
27.3
28.7
30.1
32 dBm
(1600 mW)
3.3
6.1
8.9
11.5
13.9
17.2
21.4
24.7
27.3
29.4
31.4
33.3
35.1
36.7
36 dBm
(4 W)
4.0
7.3
11.1
14.3
18.0
21.1
25.3
28.5
31.2
35.4
37.6
39.7
41.9
43.7
40 dBm
(10 W)
4.5
8.5
13.9
19.1
23.8
27.2
32.3
36.4
39.5
42.1
44.5
46.9
49.4
51.4
42 dBm
(16 W)
5.0
9.4
15.3
20.9
26.2
30.1
35.5
39.5
42.5
45.9
48.4
51.0
53.8
55.9
* When communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices, the required separation distances must be increased beyond the
specified distances by 1.3 kilometers if the Mode I device operates at power levels no more than 40 mW EIRP or 1.7 kilometers if the Mode I device operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP.
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TABLE 4 TO SECTION 15.712(a)(2)(v)
Personal/portable white space devices
Required separation in
kilometers from adjacent
channel digital or analog
TV (full service or low
power) protected
contour
20 dBm
(100 mW)
Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device .....................................................................................................................
Communicating with Mode I device ....................................................................................................................................
0.1
0.2
TABLE 5 TO SECTION 15.712(a)(2)(v)
Fixed white space devices
Antenna height above
average terrain of
unlicensed devices
(meters)
Required separation in kilometers from adjacent channel digital or analog TV
(full service or low power) protected contour *
20 dBm
(100 mW)
Less than 3 ..................
3–10 .............................
10–30 ...........................
30–50 ...........................
50–75 ...........................
75–100 .........................
100–150 .......................
150–200 .......................
200–250 .......................
250–300 .......................
300–350 .......................
350–400 .......................
400–450 .......................
450–500 .......................
24 dBm
(250 mW)
0.1
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.8
28 dBm
(625 mW)
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.0
1.1
32 dBm
(1600 mW)
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
36 dBm
(4 W)
0.1
0.2
0.4
0.5
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
40 dBm
(10 W)
0.2
0.3
0.5
0.7
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.8
1.9
2.1
2.1
42 dBm
(16 W)
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
0.9
1.1
1.3
1.5
1.7
2.1
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.7
0.3
0.5
0.7
1.0
1.0
1.3
1.5
1.7
1.9
2.3
2.4
2.7
2.9
2.9
* When communicating with a Mode I personal/portable white space device that operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP, the required
separation distances must be increased beyond the specified distances by 0.1 kilometers.
(3) Fixed white space device antenna
height. Fixed white space devices must
comply with the requirements of
§ 15.709(g) of this part.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(ii) White space devices operating
with more than 4 watts EIRP and up to
10 watts EIRP may not operate within
10.2 kilometers from the receive site for
co-channel operation and 2.5 kilometers
from the receive site for adjacent
channel operation.
(iii) White space devices operating
with more than 10 watts EIRP may not
operate within 16.6 kilometers from the
receive site for co-channel operation
and 3.5 kilometers from the receive site
for adjacent channel operation.
(iv) For purposes of this section, a TV
station being received may include a
full power TV station, TV translator
station or low power TV/Class A TV
station.
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) White space devices operating
with more than 4 watts EIRP and up to
10 watts EIRP may not operate within
10.2 km from the receive site for cochannel operation and 2.5 km from the
receive site for adjacent channel
operation.
(iii) White space devices operating
with more than 10 watts EIRP may not
operate within 16.6 kilometers from the
receive site for co-channel operation
and 3.5 kilometers from the receive site
for adjacent channel operation.
(d) PLMRS/CMRS operations. (1)
White space devices may not operate at
distances less than those specified in
the table below from the coordinates of
the metropolitan areas and on the
channels listed in § 90.303(a) of this
chapter.
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TABLE 6 TO SECTION 15.712(d)(1)
Required separation in
kilometers from areas specified
in § 90.303(a) of this chapter
White space device transmitter power
Co-channel
operation
4 watts EIRP or less ................................................................................................................................................
Greater than 4 watts and less than 10 watts EIRP ................................................................................................
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134
136
Adjacent
channel
operation
131
131.5
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TABLE 6 TO SECTION 15.712(d)(1)—Continued
Required separation in
kilometers from areas specified
in § 90.303(a) of this chapter
White space device transmitter power
Co-channel
operation
Greater than 10 watts EIRP ....................................................................................................................................
(2) White space devices may not
operate at distances less than those
specified in the table below from
PLMRS/CMRS operations authorized by
Adjacent
channel
operation
139.2
132.2
waiver outside of the metropolitan areas
listed in § 90.303(a) of this chapter.
TABLE 7 TO SECTION 15.712(d)(2)
Required separation in
kilometers from areas specified
in § 90.303(a) of this chapter
White space device transmitter power
Co-channel
operation
4 watts EIRP or less ................................................................................................................................................
Greater than 4 watts and less than 10 watts EIRP ................................................................................................
Greater than 10 watts EIRP ....................................................................................................................................
*
*
*
*
(f) Low power auxiliary services,
including wireless microphones. White
space devices are not permitted to
operate within the following distances
of the coordinates of registered low
power auxiliary station sites on the
registered channels during the
designated times they are used by low
power auxiliary stations.
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*
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(1) Fixed white space devices with 10
watts EIRP or less: 1 kilometer
(2) Fixed white space devices with
greater than 10 watts EIRP: 1.3
kilometers
(3) Personal/portable white space
devices: 400 meters
*
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*
*
(i) * * *
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*
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54
56
59.2
51
51.5
52.2
(1) Fixed white space devices may
only operate above 4 W EIRP in less
congested areas as defined in § 15.703.
*
*
*
*
*
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*
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channel
operation
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 65 (Friday, April 3, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18901-18912]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06569]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
47 CFR Part 15
[ET Docket No. 20-36; FCC 20-17; FRS 16585]
Unlicensed White Space Device Operations in the Television Bands
AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this document, the Commission proposes to revise our rules
to provide additional opportunities for unlicensed white space devices
operating in the broadcast television bands (TV Bands) to deliver
wireless broadband services in rural areas and applications associated
with the Internet of Things (IOT). Therefore, the Commission offers
several proposals to spur continued growth of the white space device
ecosystem, especially for providing affordable broadband service to
rural and underserved communities that can help close the digital
divide.
DATES: Comments are due on or before May 4, 2020; reply comments are
due on or before June 2, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by ET Docket No. 20-36,
by any of the following methods:
[ssquf] Federal Communications Commission's Website: https://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
[ssquf] People with Disabilities: Contact the FCC to request
reasonable accommodations (accessible format documents, sign language
interpreters, CART, etc.) by email: [email protected] or phone: 202-418-
0530 or TTY: 202-418-0432.
For detailed instructions for submitting comments and additional
information on the rulemaking process, see the SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this document.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hugh Van Tuyl, Office of Engineering
and Technology, 202-418-7506, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a summary of the Commission's Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking, ET Docket No. 20-36, FCC 20-17, adopted on
February 28, 2020, and released on March 2, 2020. The full text of this
document is available for inspection and copying during normal business
hours in the FCC Reference Center (Room CY-A257), 445 12th Street SW,
Washington, DC 20554. The full text may also be downloaded at: https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2018/db0223/FCC-18-18A1.pdf.
People with Disabilities: To request materials in accessible
formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic
files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or call the
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-
418-0432 (tty).
Synopsis
1. Background. Unlicensed white space devices can be used to
provide a variety of wireless services, including broadband data. Fixed
white space devices are being deployed today by Wireless Internet
Service Providers (WISPs) to provide internet connectivity in rural and
underserved areas, including for schools and libraries. The
Commission's Part 15 rules allow unlicensed white space devices to
operate at locations where frequencies are not in use by licensed
services.
2. In 2008, the Commission first authorized unlicensed white space
device operations, both fixed and personal/portable, in portions of the
VHF and UHF broadcast television bands (TV bands) that were not being
used by TV broadcasters and associated services. In 2010, 2012, and
2015, the Commission took steps to promote additional opportunities for
unlicensed white space devices to use spectrum in the TV bands. To
prevent harmful interference to broadcast television reception and
other protected users, white space devices obtain a list of available
channels and operating power levels that may be used at their
particular location from databases administered by private entities
approved by the Commission. Fixed white space devices must incorporate
a geo-location capability and a means to access a database. Portable
white space devices can either acquire a list of available channels via
another device (Mode I), or themselves include geo-location and
database access capabilities (Mode II).
3. In the 2015 White Spaces Order, the Commission took additional
action to promote white space device usage in the repacked TV bands
following the broadcast TV spectrum incentive auction, and it also
authorized white space device operations in the 600 MHz duplex gap, in
unused spectrum in the 600 MHz service band (at locations where 600 MHz
service licensees had not commenced operations), and unused portions of
television channel 37 (in areas that would not interfere with Radio
Astronomy Service and Wireless Medical Telemetry Service incumbents).
4. In an effort to promote more flexibility for white space device
operators in rural areas, the Commission permitted fixed white space
devices, which under then-existing rules were limited to no more than 4
watts EIRP, to operate at higher power levels of up to 10 watts EIRP in
``less congested'' areas, which are defined as those areas where at
least half the television channels are unused for broadcast services
and available for white space use. In that order, the Commission
retained the existing requirement that fixed devices operate on
antennas that are no more than 30 meters above
[[Page 18902]]
ground and no more than 250 meters height above average terrain (HAAT).
Most recently, in March 2019, the Commission adopted the White Spaces
Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, in which it provided
additional flexibility for fixed white space devices to operate at up
to 100 meters above ground in ``less congested'' areas, but retained
the 250 meter HAAT limitation based on the record before it.
5. On May 3, 2019, Microsoft Corporation filed a petition for
rulemaking requesting that the Commission provide additional
flexibility for white space device operations in the TV bands.
Specifically, Microsoft requests that the Commission: (1) Permit fixed
devices in ``less congested'' areas to operate at higher radiated
power, up to 16 watts EIRP, to support expansion of broadband in rural
America, (2) permit fixed devices to operate with higher HAAT, up to
500 meters, to improve rural coverage, (3) examine the possibility of
authorizing higher-power operations on first-adjacent channels to TV
operations, with appropriate safeguards to prevent harmful
interference, (4) permit higher power mobile operations within geo-
fenced areas, and (5) adjust the rules to support narrowband IoT white
space devices.
6. The Commission sought comment on the petition, and 21 parties
filed comments and 16 parties filed reply comments. These commenters
include several proponents of white space device operations generally
supporting Microsoft's proposals, the National Association of
Broadcasters (NAB), commenters concerned about protecting Wireless
Medical Telemetry Service operations on Channel 37, and commenters
concerned about the potential effect of Microsoft's proposals on
wireless microphone users that also operate on TV broadcast spectrum
not being used by other authorized services.
7. Discussion. The Commission proposes targeted changes to the
white space device rules in the TV bands to provide improved broadband
coverage that will benefit American consumers in rural and underserved
areas. Specifically, the Commission proposes to permit higher transmit
power and higher antenna HAAT for fixed white space devices in ``less
congested'' geographic areas. In addition, the Commission proposes to
permit higher power mobile operation within ``geo-fenced'' areas. The
Commission also proposes rule revisions designed to facilitate the
development of new and innovative narrowband IoT services. The
Commission also seeks comment on methods that could be used to allow
higher power operation by white space devices when operating within the
service contour of an adjacent channel TV station. The Commission do
not propose any rule revisions for white space device operations above
TV channel 35, including in the 600 MHz duplex gap or 600 MHz service
band.
8. Fixed white space devices in rural areas in the TV Bands. The
Commission proposes rule changes for fixed white space devices that
operate in the TV bands in order to enable improved broadband service
in rural areas and underserved areas, defined as ``less congested''
areas in our rules. Specifically, the Commission proposes to increase
the maximum permissible radiated power from 10 to 16 watts EIRP in
these areas, and to increase the maximum permissible antenna HAAT from
250 meters to 500 meters. Because the maximum transmission range of a
white space device is a function of both the power and antenna HAAT,
these changes will enable white space devices to provide broadband
service over larger areas. Given these proposed revisions, the
Commission also proposes to protect other users of the TV bands by
increasing the minimum required separation distances from protected TV
service contours and other protected services for white space devices
operating at the proposed higher power and antenna height limits, and
continue to protect Wireless Medical Telemetry Service and Radio
Astronomy Service operations by maintaining the current power and HAAT
limits on Channel 36. The Commission seeks comment on the benefits or
costs of these proposed changes with respect to white space device
users and to authorized users.
9. High power limits. The rules currently permit fixed white space
devices in the TV bands to operate with a maximum of four watts EIRP in
any area, provided the device meets minimum separation distances from
co-channel and adjacent channel users in the band. In addition, a fixed
white space device may operate with a higher power of up to 10 watts
EIRP in the TV bands (except Channel 36) in ``less congested'' areas,
defined as those areas where at least half the television channels in
the band of operation (i.e., low VHF, high VHF or UHF) are not in use,
and the fixed device complies with increased separation distances from
other users in the band. Fixed white space devices are limited to one-
watt maximum conducted transmitter power requiring radiated power
levels above one-watt EIRP to use an antenna with directional gain,
e.g., 6 dBi to produce four watts EIRP, and 10 dBi to produce 10 watts
EIRP.
10. In its petition, Microsoft requests that the Commission
increase the radiated limit to permit fixed device operation with a
maximum of 16 watts EIRP in ``less congested'' areas. Advocates of
white space device operations support this request. NAB, commenting on
behalf of potentially affected broadcasters, indicates that it does not
oppose this proposal provided appropriate separation distances are
established to protect broadcasters. Similarly, Sennheiser does not
oppose revision provided the separation distances are revised to
protect microphone operations. Commenters supporting Wireless Medical
Telemetry Service (WMTS) operations on Channel 37 oppose any revision
that would change the existing power limits for white space device
operations either on Channel 37 or on adjacent Channels 36 and 38.
11. The Commission proposes to permit fixed devices to operate in
the TV bands, up to Channel 35, with a maximum 16 watts EIRP (12 dBW)
in ``less congested'' areas. This change will permit fixed devices used
in less congested, including rural, areas to reach users at greater
distances, thus enabling improved broadband coverage at less cost in
these hard-to-reach areas. Higher power will also enable signals to
better penetrate foliage, buildings, and other obstacles, thus
providing improved coverage at locations where there is not a direct
line-of-sight to the transmitter.
12. Specifically, the Commission proposes to maintain the one-watt
transmitter conducted power limit for fixed devices and require that
the higher power be achieved by using higher gain antennas, i.e., 12
dBi to produce 16 watts EIRP with one-watt transmitter power. Because
higher gain antennas are more highly directional, this proposed
requirement will improve spectrum efficiency by ensuring that less
white space device energy is directed outside the main antenna beam
than would be the case if the Commission permitted higher transmitter
power using lower gain, less directional antennas. The Commission also
proposes that in cases where an antenna with a gain higher than 12 dB
is used, the transmitter power must be reduced below one-watt by the
amount in dB that the antenna gain exceeds 12 dBi. This requirement
will ensure that the EIRP from a fixed device does not exceed the
proposed 16-watt limit if a very high gain antenna is used. To maintain
protection for Wireless Medical Telemetry Service and radio astronomy
operations on Channel
[[Page 18903]]
37, the Commission do not propose to revise our current rules to permit
higher power operations in Channel 36 or higher at this time.
13. The Commission seeks comment on our proposal for permitting
higher power operations in the TV bands (Channels 2-35). Should we
allow the maximum radiated power level to increase from 10 watts EIRP
to 16 watts EIRP in less congested areas? Would a different maximum
from that proposed be more appropriate to enable service to rural
areas? Should we allow even higher power levels under certain
circumstances, and if so, what power levels and under what
circumstances? How does the proposed antenna gain requirement affect
the ability to serve rural areas? Should that requirement be relaxed or
tightened? What are the trade-offs, both technically and economically,
regarding the potential for causing interference versus the ability to
serve more areas?
14. Higher antenna height above average terrain limits. The rules
currently permit fixed white space devices to operate with a maximum
250-meter antenna HAAT. If a fixed white space device antenna HAAT
exceeds 250 meters, the white space database will not provide a list of
available channels to the device and the device is not permitted to
operate. This requirement was adopted to limit the distance at which
interference to other users of the TV bands could occur. However, an
antenna HAAT limit also precludes white space devices from operating at
certain locations, e.g., those where the ground HAAT already exceeds
250 meters. In the White Spaces Order on Reconsideration, the
Commission upheld its previous decision to maintain a 250-meter antenna
HAAT limit but stated that it might consider increasing the limit in
the future if there were a more complete record addressing this issue.
15. The Commission now revisits the issue based on a more complete
record. Microsoft argues that a higher HAAT limit subject to certain
coordination conditions would reduce the likelihood of harmful
interference. NAB expresses support for such a change provided that the
Commission adopts a special coordination requirement for all fixed
white space device operations above 250 meters HAAT and also adjusts
the separation distances to protect broadcasters. Sennheiser does not
oppose this revision provided the separation distances are revised to
protect microphone operations. WMTS interests do not oppose an HAAT
limit provided it does not apply on Channel 37 or adjacent Channels 36
and 38.
16. The Commission proposes to increase the maximum permissible
antenna HAAT for fixed white space devices operating on channels 2-35
from 250 meters to 500 meters and seek comment on appropriate
procedures that may be necessary to ensure that broadcaster operations
and other entities in the TV bands are protected. As commenters note,
increasing permissible antenna HAAT will improve broadband coverage in
rural areas by enabling signals to reach greater distances and will
enable fixed white space devices to operate at locations where they are
not currently permitted due to the 250-meter HAAT limit, such as
existing towers located at higher elevations. We also note that
Microsoft, NAB and wireless interests agree that 500 meters is an
appropriate maximum HAAT for fixed white space devices. In addition,
operation from a higher antenna site can help increase coverage by
permitting devices to operate above the tree line to avoid signal
losses through leaves and to avoid clutter such as buildings. To
protect Wireless Medical Telemetry Service and radio astronomy
operations on Channel 37, the Commission do not propose to revise our
rules to permit operation with a higher HAAT in Channel 36 or higher.
17. The Commission seeks comment on this proposal. What are the
benefits of a higher HAAT limit in terms of improved rural coverage and
increased transmitter site availability in high elevation areas? Will
the increased fixed white space device transmission range associated
with higher HAATs limit opportunities for spectrum sharing with other
white space devices? Would an upper HAAT limit other than 500 meters be
more appropriate? Should white space device operations at HAATs greater
than 250 meters be limited to less congested areas?
18. The Commission also seeks comment on whether, as suggested by
Microsoft, it should require a coordination procedure between white
space devices and broadcast licensees when white space devices operate
with HAATs exceeding 250 meters. Microsoft's proposed coordination
procedures comprise several steps including notifying a white space
administrators, notifying broadcast licensees, operating on a test
basis on a 30 days trial authorization, as well as a process to submit
claims of harmful interference, investigate such claims, and upon
satisfactorily addressing any such claims, permit authorization on a
permanent basis. While the Commission recognizes that this proposed
procedure is designed to address NAB's concerns that white space
devices operating at higher power and antenna heights could cause
harmful interference to TV service, the Commission are concerned about
the procedure's complexity and whether such procedures are even
warranted given the existing obligations of unlicensed devices to
protect authorized radio services.
19. The Commission believes that a simpler alternative to
Microsoft's suggested coordination procedure could be used to achieve
the same results. Specifically, an alternative procedure could require
a party wishing to operate a fixed white space device at HAATs greater
than 250 meters to notify potentially affected protected entities of
their intended operation at least 48 hours in advance. The notification
would include the prospective white space device operator's contact
information, geographic coordinates of the antenna, antenna height
above ground and average terrain, EIRP and channel(s) of operation.
While entities would be expected to acknowledge receipt of the
notification, if a response is not received within 48 hours, the party
installing the fixed white space device would be permitted to commence
operation. Operators of fixed white space devices with HAATs greater
than 250 meters would be required to provide information upon request
to a potentially affected protected entity on the white space devices'
operational hours to help licensees determine whether a white space
device was causing harmful interference. For notification purposes, the
Commission would define a potentially affected station consistent with
Microsoft's proposal--i.e., a station would receive notification that
its broadcast contour was within the separation distance corresponding
to an assumed HAAT 50 meters higher than the actual deployment. To
accommodate actual deployments exceeding 450 meters where Microsoft did
not provide a separation distance, the Commission would add an
additional row to the table of separation distances with relevant
values.
20. The Commission seeks comment on this procedure. As a threshold,
is such a procedure even necessary? If so, would the proposed procedure
strike the proper balance between ensuring interference protection for
protected entities and providing white space device operators with the
ability to deploy devices with high HAATs in a timely manner? Are there
other alternatives that would satisfy the same requirements? Should
protected entities be defined as described above or is there a better
definition? What method of
[[Page 18904]]
communication should a white space device operator use to contact
licensees, e.g., email or other electronic messaging, written mail,
fax, telephone, etc.? How would any of these coordination/notification
procedures affect the white space database operation? Could they be
implemented quickly? What costs would be involved?
21. Under any coordination and/or notification procedure,
previously coordinated devices would require new coordination/
notification if a fixed white space device is moved more than 100
meters, or when an increase is made to the EIRP or HAAT that increases
the minimum required separation distance from the contours of co-
channel or adjacent channel TV stations. These proposed requirements
are for the purpose of determining when a white space device operator
must notify potentially affected stations of changes in the operating
parameters of a device with an HAAT above 250 meters; the Commission
are not proposing to alter the current requirement that a fixed white
space device must notify the database of changes in location of greater
than 50 meters or in the antenna height above ground. The fixed white
space device would need to obtain a new list of available channels when
moved more than 100 meters. The Commission recognizes that Microsoft
proposed to base new coordination requirements on a 50 meter distance
(consistent with existing rules), but because Microsoft's proposed
distances in the tables of required separations from TV station
contours are rounded to the nearest 0.1 kilometer (100 meters), the
Commissions see no reason to require a new coordination for changes
less than this amount. The Commission also notes that the HAAT levels
in the proposed table of separation distances is defined in 50-meter
steps for HAAT's above 250 meters. Thus, there would be no need to
require new coordination/notification for small HAAT increases within a
50-meter step. The Commission seeks comment on this proposal.
22. The Commission is not proposing that white space devices
operate during a specific test or trial period as suggested by
Microsoft. White space devices, like all other unlicensed devices, must
not cause harmful interference to authorized services and must cease
interference if harmful interference occurs. Additionally, licensees
can bring claims of harmful interference to the Commission or the party
operating unlicensed devices at any time, so the Commission do not
believe that a 30-day trial period is necessary. The Commission seeks
comment on this view.
23. Antenna height above ground. In a related matter, the
Commission seeks comment on whether the Commission should increase or
remove the limit on antenna height above ground level. The Commission
previously increased the maximum permissible antenna height above
ground from 30 meters to 100 meters in ``less congested'' areas in the
White Spaces Order on Reconsideration. The Commission took this action
to improve wireless broadband service to persons in rural and other
underserved areas, noting that a 100-meter antenna height above ground
limit will benefit wireless broadband providers and users by permitting
antennas to be mounted on towers or other structures at heights
sufficient to clear intervening obstacles such as trees and hills that
would attenuate the transmitted signal, thereby increasing the range at
which the signal can be received. The Commission made no changes to the
rule limiting maximum antenna HAAT to 250 meters at that time.
24. In light of our proposal to increase the maximum antenna HAAT
to 500 meters in this NPRM, the Commission believes it is appropriate
to re-examine the antenna height above ground limit. Antenna heights
above ground and average terrain are directly related, in that any
change to a station's antenna height above ground changes its HAAT by
the same amount, e.g., a 30-meter increase in height above ground
increases the HAAT by 30 meters. However, the Commission notes that
limiting the antenna height above ground may also limit the maximum
achievable HAAT in areas where the terrain is flat since in those areas
the HAAT will be approximately the same as, or not significantly higher
than, the antenna height above ground. Therefore, the antenna height
above ground limit (30 or 100 meters) may preclude white space device
operators from taking advantage of the higher HAAT limit we are
proposing, or even the current 250-meter limit. Moreover, the
Commission notes that the distance separation rules to protect TV
reception are based on HAAT, not antenna height above ground level.
25. Accordingly, the Commission seeks comment on whether they
should make any changes to the antenna height above ground limit. Does
the current antenna above ground limit restrict flexibility to design
and deploy white space networks? Should the Commission increase the
antenna height above ground limit, and if so, by how much? Should the
Commission remove the height above ground level limit completely and
rely only on HAAT? Given that the separation distances are based only
on HAAT and not the antenna height above ground, what effect, if any,
would such a change have on the potential of causing harmful
interference to a protected service? If the Commission modifies or
remove the antenna height above ground limit, should the modified rules
apply across the entire U.S. or only in certain areas (e.g., ``less
congested areas'')
26. Separation distance. Because white space device operations must
protect other authorized services from harmful interference, with our
proposed increases in fixed white space device maximum permissible
radiated power and antenna HAAT in the TV bands, we also propose
increases in the minimum required separation distances between white
space devices operating at higher power/HAAT in order to protect these
other authorized services from harmful interference.
27. The Commission seeks comment on these proposals. Do the
proposed separation distances for the higher power and antenna HAAT
levels provide adequate protection to co-channel and adjacent channel
TV service? Are any other changes necessary to protect TV service in
light of the proposed power and HAAT levels?
28. Protection of other operations in the TV bands. In addition to
the broadcast television service, white space devices must protect
certain other operations in the TV bands. These include TV translator
receive sites, Low Power TV (including Class A) receive sites, Multi-
channel Video Programming Distributor (MVPD) receive sites, fixed
Broadcast Auxiliary Service (BAS) links, the private land mobile radio
and commercial mobile radio services (PLMRS/CMRS), and Low Power
Auxiliary Station services (referenced herein as licensed wireless
microphones). When the Commission increased the maximum power for fixed
white space devices operating in less congested areas from 4 watts EIRP
to 10 watts EIRP in the White Spaces Order in 2015, it also slightly
increased the minimum required separation distances from TV translator
receive sites, PLMRS/CMRS, and temporary BAS links. Because we are now
proposing to increase the maximum fixed white space device EIRP from 10
watts to 16 watts, and the maximum HAAT from 250 meters to 500 meters,
we are proposing to make additional changes to the protection criteria
for operations in the TV bands other than broadcasting.
29. The Commission proposes changes to the keyhole shaped exclusion
zone that is specified to protect the receive sites of TV
[[Page 18905]]
translators, low power TV stations, Class A TV stations, MVPDs, and BAS
facilities from white space devices. Under the current rules, white
space devices are prohibited from operating co-channel and adjacent
channel to the TV channel(s) being received by these facilities over an
arc of 30 degrees from a line between the receive site and
each associated transmitter. The protection zone extends to a maximum
distance of 80 kilometers from the protected receiver toward its
associated transmitter for co-channel operations and to 20 kilometers
for adjacent channel operation. In addition, to prevent interference
from white space device signals outside the main beam of the protected
receive antenna, white space devices are prohibited from operating
within a circular area of 10.2 kilometers co-channel and 2.5 kilometers
adjacent channel from the receive sites in all directions off the
30 degree arc when a white space device operates at an EIRP
between four and ten watts. The Commission believes the 80-kilometer
co-channel and 20-kilometer adjacent channel protection distances are
large enough to sufficiently protect these protected receive sites from
interference from fixed devices operating at 16 watts EIRP. However, to
protect these sites from white space devices that are located outside
the main beam, the Commission believes a modest increase in distance is
necessary. The Commission are therefore proposing to adjust those
distances to prohibit fixed devices operating with EIRPs greater than
10 watts from operating within 16.6 kilometers co-channel and 3.5
kilometers adjacent channel outside the 30 degree arc of
the protected received site. The Commission seeks comment on this
proposal. Is an increase in separation distances necessary within the
main beam of the antenna, and if so, what are the appropriate distances
and how should they be calculated? Are increased separation distances
necessary to protect receive sites outside the main beam of the receive
antenna, and are the proposed separation distances appropriate?
30. The Commission also proposes changes to the protection criteria
for the private land mobile radio services and commercial mobile radio
services (PLMRS/CMRS). These services operate on TV channels 14-20 in
11 major markets and in some additional areas under rule waivers.
PLMRS/CMRS operations are protected from interference from white space
devices through a circular exclusion zone extending from the center of
each market, or from specific geographic coordinates for operations
under a waiver. These exclusion zones are based on the Commission's
methodology described in the White Spaces Second Report and Order.
Using the same methodology the Commission previously used to determine
the protection zones, the Commission proposes that fixed white space
devices operating at more than 10 watts EIRP in less congested areas
may not operate within a circular exclusion zone of 139.2 kilometers
co-channel and 132.2 kilometers adjacent channel of the 11 major
markets where PLMRS/CMRS stations are permitted to operate and within
59.2 kilometers co-channel and 52.2 kilometers adjacent channel of
PLMRS/CMRS base stations operating outside the 11 major markets under a
waiver. The Commission seeks comment on these proposals. Are the
proposed separation distances appropriate to protect PLMRS/CMRS
operations? Should we define three sets of exclusion zones based on
power levels, e.g., up to four watts, between four and ten watts, and
greater than ten watts, or should we combine two or more tiers for
simplicity as there is not a large difference between them? What effect
might these proposals have on implementing the statutory directive for
the Commission to transition public safety operations out of T-Band and
auction the spectrum for use by other services?
31. With regard to licensed wireless microphones, the Commission
proposes to increase the minimum required separation distance from
fixed white space devices operating at power levels greater than 10
watts from one kilometer to 1.3 kilometers. This proposed change is
intended to provide the same protection level to licensed wireless
microphones as the current rules. The Commission calculated this
increased distance using the conservative assumption of free space
propagation. The Commission seeks comment on this proposal. Is it
necessary to increase the minimum required separation distance from
licensed wireless microphones, and is our proposed distance
appropriate?
32. The Commission seeks comment on whether any changes are
necessary to the definition of ``less congested'' area given the
revised rules that the Commission are proposing in this NPRM. Is the
current definition appropriate, i.e., that half the channels in the
band of operation be vacant? If not, what is an appropriate metric for
defining ``less congested'' area? Because the number of vacant channels
at a location can vary based on the EIRP and HAAT of a white space
device, should we define vacant channels at a particular antenna height
and power level? Nominet expressed concern that because the required
separation distances from TV station contours vary according to white
space device HAAT, it can be difficult to determine the precise number
of channels that may be vacant in any given area. Nominet proposes that
the Commission revise the definition to one based on population
density, which would make it easier to determine where devices that
operate with higher power or antenna height can be deployed to serve
more rural areas. Should the Commission instead base the definition of
``less congested'' on the population density of an area where the white
space device is located as suggested by Nominet? If the Commission were
to adopt a definition of ``less congested'' based on population
density, what is the appropriate population density and how would the
white space database determine whether a location meets the definition?
How would such changes affect the availability of ``less congested''
areas compared to those available today? Would such areas be more
pervasive? Or less? Are there other technical requirements the
Commission could adopt in conjunction with a change to the definition
of ``less congested'' areas to reduce the potential of causing harmful
interference when higher EIRP and HAATs are used? Finally, the
Commission requests comment on the benefits or costs of any changes to
the Commission's current definition.
33. Higher power mobile operation within ``geo-fenced'' areas. The
white space rules permit two general classes of devices, fixed devices
and personal/portable devices. As noted above, under the current rules
fixed white space devices may operate with up to four watts EIRP
generally, and up to 10 watts in ``less congested'' areas. Personal/
portable devices may operate with a maximum EIRP of 100 milliwatts, may
load channel availability information for multiple locations from the
white space database and use that information to define a geographic
area within which it can operate on a mobile basis on the same
available channels at all locations, and they must contact the database
again if they move beyond the boundary of the area where the channel
availability data is valid.
34. In its petition, Microsoft requests that the Commission permit
the use of fixed devices on mobile platforms, such as school buses or
agricultural equipment, within ``geo-fenced'' areas, i.e., defined
geographic areas over which a mobile device is permitted to
[[Page 18906]]
operate. This proposal is analogous in many respects to the rules for
personal/portable devices that are permitted to operate within a
defined geographic area. Microsoft, however, proposes to permit mobile
white space devices to operate at higher power levels than the rules
currently permit for personal/portable devices (i.e., at the same power
level as is permitted for fixed white space devices), and proposes
specific additional restrictions to prevent harmful interference to
users of the TV bands. Advocates of white space device operations
generally support Microsoft's proposal.
35. The Commission proposes to allow white space devices to operate
on TV Channels 2-35 on mobile platforms within geo-fenced areas at
higher power levels than the rules currently permit for portable
devices, and proposes to limit such operations to ``less congested''
areas to limit their potential for causing harmful interference.
Microsoft suggests that the Commission permits fixed devices to operate
on mobile platforms. However, because fixed stations, by definition,
are stations that communicate between fixed points (i.e., stations that
do not move), the Commission are instead proposing to allow mobile Mode
II personal/portable white space devices to operate at higher power
levels commensurate with that allowed for fixed devices within ``less
congested'' areas and limited to pre-cleared geo-fenced areas. These
types of geo-fenced operations could benefit persons in rural areas by
enabling improved communications on moving vehicles such as school
buses and agricultural equipment, and for applications such as
monitoring roaming livestock. The Commission seeks comment on the
benefits or costs of this proposal with respect to white space device
users or other authorized users of the TV band spectrum.
36. The Commission proposes to permit a higher power Mode II white
space device installed on a movable platform to load channel
availability information for multiple locations in the vicinity of its
current location and to use that information to define a geo-fenced
area within which it can operate on the same available channels at all
locations. Consistent with the requirements for Mode II personal/
portable devices, The Commission proposes to require that the white
space device's location be checked at least once every 60 seconds while
in operation, except while in sleep mode, i.e., in a mode in which the
device is inactive but is not powered-down. The Commission recognizes,
however, that checks every 60 seconds may be insufficient to protect
services in locations where coverage contours and usage of wireless
microphones varies rapidly from one location to the next. To limit the
potential of movable devices to cause harmful interference, we propose
that a device may not use channel availability information for multiple
locations if/when it moves closer than 1.6 kilometers to the boundary
of the geo-fenced area in which the device operates, or at any point
outside that boundary. This proposed limitation is designed to ensure
that a device moving at 60 miles per hour (1.6 kilometers per minute)
does not cross outside the boundary between device re-checks of its
location. We further propose, as recommended by NAB, to prohibit
operation on board aircraft or satellites to limit the range at which
interference could occur.
37. The Commission seeks comment on these proposals. Should the
Commission allow Mode II portable devices to operate at higher power in
``less congested'' areas, and how would such operations benefit persons
in those areas? Should the Commission instead permit devices operating
under the fixed device rules to operate on mobile platforms as
suggested by Microsoft and others? What effect would either approach
have on the equipment approval process for white space devices? For
example, could portable Mode II devices be approved at the higher power
level for general usage because the database would limit the amount of
power that they could use for operations in any specific area? What
antenna requirements should apply to higher power mobile devices? The
Commission notes that under the current rules, fixed devices may use
detachable antennas with high gain, whereas portable devices must use
permanently attached antennas, which can have the effect of limiting
antenna size and gain. Should the Commission allow higher power mobile
devices to use detachable, higher gain antennas as we permit for fixed
devices? Can technologies such as electronically steerable beams allow
mobile devices to operate with higher gain, and therefore more highly
directional, antennas? If the Commission permits use of detachable
antennas for higher power mobile white space devices, should the
Commission create a new class of white space devices, such as mobile
white space devices, to distinguish such devices from personal/portable
white space devices? Are there other rules that need to be modified or
limitations that should be imposed for such use?
38. The Commission also seeks comment on other requirements for
higher power mobile white space devices. Are the proposed operational
limitations sufficient to protect other users of the TV bands,
including television, cable headends, translator receive sites and
wireless microphone users? Do the Commission need to place limitations
on the size of the area over which a higher power mobile device could
operate? Is four watts an appropriate maximum power to permit for such
operations or should a different maximum power level be permitted
(e.g., 10 watts or 16 watts EIRP)? Would mobile devices operating at
higher power levels be able to comply with the Commission's RF safety
requirements? Do the Commission need to specify how information on an
area will be provided to the white space database? Are any other
safeguards needed to ensure that higher power mobile devices do not
cause harmful interference to protected operations, especially
operations that are close to, but outside, the edge of a pre-cleared
geo-fenced area? Are there concerns about coexistence between higher
power mobile white space devices and other mobile or fixed white space
devices? Is there a need to prohibit operation on board aircraft and
satellites or any other mobile platforms such as trains and boats?
Should the Commission limit operation of higher power mobile devices to
less congested areas as we propose and as suggested by some commenters?
Are any changes to the white space databases needed to permit the
proposed operation?
39. Narrowband IoT operations. Fixed white space devices operating
with four watts or greater EIRP must comply with a power spectral
density (PSD) limit of 12.6 dBm per 100 kilohertz, which limits total
conducted power within any 6-megahertz television channel to 30 dBm.
The PSD limit is proportionally lower for devices operating at lower
EIRP levels. The Commission established PSD limits to prevent multiple
white space devices from operating at the maximum allowable power with
transmit bandwidths less than six megahertz within a single television
channel, which would result in a total transmitted power within that
channel significantly greater than the limit. These PSD limits were
calculated based upon a single white space device spreading its energy
uniformly across a 6-megahertz television channel bandwidth. The limits
serve to limit the maximum power of white space devices with bandwidths
of less than 6-megahertz, e.g., a white space device that operates with
a bandwidth of half a television channel would be limited to
[[Page 18907]]
half the power of a device that operates across a full channel.
40. The Commission proposes to modify the white space rules to
facilitate the deployment of narrowband IoT devices. TV band
frequencies are better able to penetrate foliage and other obstacles
than higher frequencies, thus providing improved transmission range for
IoT devices. Specifically, we propose to define a ``narrowband white
space device'' as a type of fixed or personal/portable white space
device operating in a bandwidth of no greater than 100 kHz. We also
propose that narrowband white space devices be client devices that
communicate with a fixed or Mode II master device that contacts the
white space database to obtain a list of available channels and
operating powers at its location.
41. The Commission proposes to permit narrowband white space
devices to operate with a conducted PSD of up to 12.6 dBm/100 kHz,
which is the same level permitted for fixed devices that operate with
the maximum permissible one-watt conducted power in a six megahertz
channel, and to require narrowband devices to comply with the same
maximum antenna gain requirements as fixed devices. The Commission
further proposes to require narrowband white space devices to comply
with an emission limit of -42.8 dBm into adjacent channels, i.e.,
outside of the six-megahertz channel in which they operate. These
proposed requirements will clarify that a white space device can
operate with a single or several narrowband carriers rather than having
to spread all of its energy across a six megahertz channel and will
ensure that narrowband white space devices have no greater interference
potential than wider bandwidth devices operating under the current
rules. To ensure that the total energy in a single TV channels does not
cause harmful interference, the Commission proposes to limit each
transmitter to a total operation of ten seconds per hour. The
Commission believes that this proposal will prevent narrowband IoT
devices from being used for data intensive applications, including
continuous transmissions, transmissions of audio and video or remote
control of toys.
42. The Commission proposes to require narrowband devices to use a
channel plan that limits total transmitted power in a six-megahertz
channel to no higher than the existing limits for a four-watt EIRP
broadband white space device. Specifically, we propose to require
narrowband white space devices to operate at least 250 kilohertz from
the edge of a six-megahertz TV channel, unless the adjacent channel is
also vacant, and to permit narrowband white space devices to operate
only on channels centered at integral multiples of 100 kHz between the
250 kHz guard bands. The net effect of these proposed requirements is
that narrowband devices could operate within 55 possible 100-kilohertz
channels in the center 5.5 megahertz of each six-megahertz channel.
Even in the event that all 55 narrowband channels within a six-
megahertz channel were occupied simultaneously by devices operating at
maximum power, the maximum conducted and radiated power within that
six-megahertz channel would be no greater than for a fixed device
operating with one-watt conducted power and four watts EIRP.
43. The Commission seeks comment on these proposals. Is the
proposed definition of narrowband white space device appropriate for
the intended IoT applications? Should narrowband personal/portable
devices be subject to lower emission limits than those proposed since
the proposed limits are based on four-watt EIRP fixed devices? Is it
necessary for the Commission to require a listen-before-talk spectrum
access mechanism to prevent harmful interference to protected services
in the TV bands? If the Commission were to require such a mechanism,
what parameters would it need to specify, e.g., monitoring threshold,
monitoring time, receiver bandwidth, receive antenna specifications? If
we require narrowband devices to operate as clients to a fixed device
that contacts the white space database, is there a need to increase the
minimum separation distances from co-channel and adjacent channel TV
station contours as we require for personal/portable devices operating
as clients? Are the proposed maximum PSD, out-of-band emission and
antenna gain limits appropriate for narrowband devices? Is the proposed
data transmission limit of ten seconds per hour necessary to prevent
data intensive operations? Is a channelization plan necessary, and if
so, is the proposed plan appropriate? Are any other revisions to the
proposed rules appropriate to protect licensed wireless microphone
operations given that such operations would be protected when
registered in the white spaces database? Finally, are there any other
revisions to the rules for narrowband operations that should be adopted
to protect any other authorized service that operate in the TV bands
from harmful interference by narrowband white space devices?
44. Higher power on adjacent channels. Among the requirements for
white space device operations are that operations above 40 milliwatts
EIRP must generally operate outside the protected contours of adjacent
channel TV stations. That's because a strong signal on an adjacent
channel can cause interference to the reception of a channel being
viewed. The general requirement that all fixed white space devices
avoid operation within adjacent channel protected contours means that,
as a practical matter, a white space device may operate only at
locations where there are three contiguous vacant channels, i.e., the
channel used by the white space device plus both adjacent channels. The
Commission's rules do, however, provide an exception for operation of
low power white space devices on adjacent channels because of the
shorter distances at which interference to the adjacent channel TV
station could occur. Specifically, fixed white space devices may
operate within the protected contour of adjacent channel TV stations
with a power level of 100 milliwatts EIRP when the white space device
operates in a six-megahertz band centered on the boundary of two
contiguous vacant channels, i.e., 50 milliwatts within a three-
megahertz band in each channel.
45. The Commission seeks comment on the ideas suggested by
Microsoft and others to develop a record on this issue. Could more
sophisticated computer models, such as Longley-Rice, be used to permit
higher power unlicensed operations on adjacent channels? If so, how?
Are they sufficiently precise to identify areas where the desired TV
signal strength is sufficiently high that interference from adjacent
channel white space devices is unlikely? What specific technical
parameters would need to be considered or specified in such
calculations, e.g., desired TV signal strength, appropriate grid size
for determining where interference could occur, desired-to-undesired
signal ratios, white space device power and antenna height? Is there
any information available on adjacent channel selectivity and
interference rejection capabilities of next generation TV receivers,
such as manufacturers' specifications or actual measurement results? Is
there any indication that next generation TV receivers will in fact
have better adjacent channel interference rejection than current
receivers? The Commission notes that while some parties advocated for
tighter out-of-band emission limits for white space devices, others
believe that the current limits are already too stringent. Would
tighter out-of-band emission limits for white space devices result in
any reduction in the potential for interference to adjacent channel TV
[[Page 18908]]
reception? Are there other factors we can consider or steps that users
or white space databases can take to provide for more widespread use of
white space devices near or within the contour of first adjacent
television channels? Commenters should provide technical detail and
analysis supporting their position on this issue.
Procedural Matters
46. Paperwork Reduction Act Analysis. This document contains
proposed new or modified information collection requirements. The
Commission, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork
burdens, invites the general public and the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) to comment on the information collection requirements
contained in this document, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995, Public Law 104-13. In addition, pursuant to the Small Business
Paperwork Relief Act of 2002, Public Law 107-198, see 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(4), we seek specific comment on how we might further reduce the
information collection burden for small business concerns with fewer
than 25 employees.
47. Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis. As required by the
Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Commission has prepared an Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) of the possible significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities of the
proposals addressed in this Notice. The Full IRFA is found in Appendix
C at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-17A1.pdf. The
Commission requests written public comment on the IRFA. Comments must
be filed in accordance with the same filing deadlines as comments filed
in response to the NPRM and must have a separate and distinct heading
designating them as responses to the IRFA. The Commission's Consumer
and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, will
send a copy of this Notice, including the IRFA, to the Chief Counsel
for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, in accordance with
the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
48. Filing Requirements. Pursuant to Sec. Sec. 1.415 and 1.419 of
the Commission's rules, 47 CFR 1.415, 1.419, interested parties may
file comments and reply comments on or before the dates indicated on
the first page of this document. Comments may be filed using the
Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). See Electronic
Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, 63 FR 24121 (1998).
[ssquf] Electronic Filers: Comments may be filed electronically
using the internet by accessing the ECFS: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/.
[ssquf] Paper Filers: Parties who choose to file by paper must file
an original and one copy of each filing. If more than one docket or
rulemaking number appears in the caption of this proceeding, filers
must submit two additional copies for each additional docket or
rulemaking number.
Filings can be sent by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial
overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service
mail. All filings must be addressed to the Commission's Secretary,
Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
[ssquf] All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for
the Commission's Secretary must be delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445
12th St. SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. The filing hours are
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be held together with
rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes and boxes must be disposed of
before entering the building.
[ssquf] Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service
Express Mail and Priority Mail) must be sent to 9050 Junction Drive,
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701.
[ssquf] U.S. Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail
must be addressed to 445 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 20554.
49. People with Disabilities. To request materials in accessible
formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, electronic
files, audio format), send an email to [email protected] or call the
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-
418-0432 (tty).
50. Additional Information. For additional information on this
proceeding, contact Hugh L. Van Tuyl, [email protected], (202) 418-
7506.
Ordering Clauses
51. It is ordered, pursuant to the authority found in sections
4(i), 201, 302, and 303 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
47 U.S.C. 154(i), 201, 302a, 303, and Sec. Sec. 1.407 and 1.411 of the
Commission's Rules, 47 CFR 1.407 and 1.411, that this Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking is hereby adopted. The petition for rulemaking of
Microsoft Corporation, ET Docket No. 14-165 and RM-11840, is hereby
granted to the extent discussed herein, and shall be consolidated into
ET Docket No. 20-36.
52. It is further ordered that notice is hereby given of the
proposed regulatory changes described in this Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, and that comment is sought on these proposals.
53. It is further ordered that the Commission's Consumer and
Governmental Affairs Bureau, Reference Information Center, shall send a
copy of this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, including the Initial
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of
the Small Business Administration.
List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 15
Communications equipment and Reporting recordkeeping requirements.
Federal Communications Commission.
Cecilia Sigmund,
Federal Register Liaison Officer, Office of the Secretary.
Proposed Rules
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Federal
Communications Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR part 15 as follows:
Part 15 of Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations is proposed
to be amended as follows:
PART 15--RADIO FREQUENCY DEVICES
The authority citation for part 15 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 302a, 303, 304, 307, 336, 544a, and
549.
0
1. Amend Sec. 15.703 by removing the paragraph designations and adding
a new definition in alphabetical order to read as follows:
Sec. 15.703 Definitions.
* * * * *
Narrowband white space device. A fixed or personal/portable white
space device operating in a bandwidth of no greater than 100 kHz.
* * * * *
0
2. Amend Sec. 15.707 by adding paragraph (c) to read as follows:
Sec. 15.707 Permissible channels of operation.
* * * * *
(c) Narrowband white space devices may only operate on frequencies
below 608 MHz.
0
3. Amend Sec. 15.709 by:
0
a. Revising paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(1)(ii) and (iii),
0
b. Adding paragraph (b)(4) and
0
c. Revising paragraphs (c)(2) and (g)(1)(ii).
The additions and revisions read as follows:
[[Page 18909]]
Sec. 15.709 General technical requirements.
(a) * * *
(2) TV bands and 600 MHz service band. (i) (A) Fixed devices in the
TV bands below 602 MHz: Up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP, and up to 16 W (42
dBm) EIRP in less congested areas. Fixed devices in the 602-608 MHz
band may operate with up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP.
(B) Fixed devices in the 600 MHz service bands above 620 MHz: Up to
4 W (36 dBm) EIRP, and up to 10 W (40 dBm) EIRP in less congested
areas. Fixed devices that operate in any portion of the 614-620 MHz
band may operate with up to 4 W (36 dBm) EIRP.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) For operation at EIRP levels of 36 dBm (4,000 mW) or less,
fixed white space devices may operate at EIRP levels between the values
shown in the table in paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section provided
that the conducted power and the conducted power spectral density (PSD)
limits are linearly interpolated between the values shown and the
adjacent channel emission limit of the higher value shown in the table
is met. Operation at EIRP levels above 36 dBm (4000 mW) but not greater
than 40 dBm (10,000 mW) shall follow the requirements for 40 dBm
(10,000 mW). Operation at EIRP levels above 40 dBm (10,000 mW) shall
follow the requirements for 42 dBm (16,000 mW). (iii) The conducted
power spectral density from a fixed white space device shall not be
greater than the values shown in the table in this paragraph
(b)(1)(iii) when measured in any 100 kHz band during any time interval
of continuous transmission.
Table 1 to Paragraph (b)(1)(iii)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conducted adjacent
EIRP (6 MHz) Conducted power limit (6 Conducted PSD limit channel emission limit
MHz) \1\ (100 kHz) (100 kHz)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 dBm (40 mW)..................... 10 dBm (10 mW)............. -7.4 dBm.............. -62.8 dBm.
20 dBm (100 mW).................... 14 dBm (25 mW)............. -3.4 dBm.............. -58.8 dBm.
24 dBm (250 mW).................... 18 dBm (63 mW)............. 0.6 dBm............... -54.8 dBm.
28 dBm (625 mW).................... 22 dBm (158 mW)............ 4.6 dBm............... -50.8 dBm.
32 dBm (1600 mW)................... 26 dBm (400 mW)............ 8.6 dBm............... -46.8 dBm.
36 dBm (4000 mW)................... 30 dBm (1000 mW)........... 12.6 dBm.............. -42.8 dBm.
40 dBm (10000 mW).................. 30 dBm (1000 mW)........... 12.6 dBm.............. -42.8 dBm.
42 dBm (16000 mW).................. 30 dBm (1000 mW)........... 12.6 dBm.............. -42.8 dBm.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
(4) Narrowband white space devices.
(i) Narrowband white space devices shall operate on channel sizes
that are no more than 100 kHz. The edge of a narrowband channel shall
be offset from the upper and lower edge of the 6 MHz channel in which
it operates by at least 250 kHz, except in the case where bonded 6 MHz
channels share a common band edge. Narrowband channels of operation
shall be at integral multiples of 100 kHz beginning at a 250 kHz offset
from a 6 MHz channel's edge, or with no offset at the common band edge
of two bonded 6 MHz channels.
(ii) The conducted power limit is 12.6 dBm in a 100 kHz segment.
The EIRP limit is 18.6 dBm in a 100 kHz segment. The conducted power
spectral density limit is 12.6 dBm in any 100 kHz band during any time
interval of continuous transmission.
(iii) Conducted adjacent channel emissions shall be limited to -
42.8 dBm in 100 kHz in a first adjacent 6 MHz channel, starting at the
edge of the 6 MHz channel within which the narrowband device is
operating. This limit shall not apply between the edge of the
narrowband channel and the edge of the 6 MHz channel that contains it.
(iv) If transmitting antennas of directional gain greater than 6
dBi are used, the maximum conducted power output shall be reduced by
the amount in dB that the directional gain of the antenna exceeds 6
dBi.
(v) Total channel occupancy shall be limited to 10 seconds per
hour.
(c) * * *
(2) The conducted power, PSD and adjacent channel limits for fixed
white space devices operating at greater than 36 dBm (4000 milliwatts)
EIRP shown in the table in paragraph (b)(1) of this section are based
on a maximum transmitting antenna gain of 12 dBi. If transmitting
antennas of directional gain greater than 12 dBi are used, the maximum
conducted output power shall be reduced by the amount in dB that the
directional gain of the antenna exceeds 12 dBi.
* * * * *
(g) * * *
(1) * * *
(ii) Height above average terrain (HAAT). For operation in the 602-
608 MHz band and the 600 MHz service bands, the transmit antenna shall
not be located where its height above average terrain exceeds 250
meters. For operation in the TV bands below 602 MHz, the transmit
antenna shall not be located where its height above average terrain
exceeds 250 meters generally, or 500 meters in less congested areas.
The HAAT is to be calculated by the white space database using the
methodology in Sec. 73.684(d) of this chapter. For HAAT greater than
250 meters the following coordination procedures are required:
(A) The installing party must contact a white space database and
identify all TV broadcast station contours that would be potentially
affected by operation at the planned HAAT and EIRP. A potentially
affected TV station is one where the protected service contour would be
within the applicable separation distance if the white space device was
operating at a HAAT of 50 meters above the planned height at the
proposed power level.
(B) The installing party must notify each of these licensees and
provide the geographic coordinates of the white space device, relevant
technical parameters of the proposed deployment, and contact
information.
(C) No earlier than 48 hours after this notification, the
installing party may commence operations.
(D) Upon request, the installing party must provide each
potentially affected licensee with information on the time periods of
operations.
(E) If the installing party seeks to modify its operations by
increasing its power level, by moving more than 100 meters horizontally
from its location, or by making an increase in the HAAT or EIRP of the
white space device that results in an increase in the minimum required
separation distances from co-channel or adjacent channel TV station
contours, it must conduct a new coordination.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec. 15.711 by adding paragraph (c)(3) to read as follows:
[[Page 18910]]
Sec. 15.711 Interference avoidance methods.
* * * * *
(c) * * *
(3) A Mode II device installed on a movable platform in less
congested areas may load channel availability information for multiple
locations in the vicinity of its current location. It may use that
information to define a geographic area within which it can operate on
the same available channels at all locations. A device may not use
channel availability information for multiple locations if/when it
moves within 1.6 km of the boundary of the area where the channel
availability data is valid, or outside that boundary. The location must
be checked at least once every 60 seconds while the white space device
is in operation except while in sleep mode, i.e., in a mode in which
the device is inactive but is not powered-down. Operation on board
aircraft or satellites is prohibited.
* * * * *
0
5. Amend Sec. 15.712 by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text and paragraphs (a)(2), (b)(3)(ii) and
(iii),
0
b. Adding new paragraphs (b)(3)(iv);
0
c. Revising paragraph (c)(2)(ii);
0
d. Adding paragraph (c)(2)(iii) and
0
e. Revising paragraphs (d), (f), and (i)(1)
The additions and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 15.712 Interference protection requirements.
The separation distances in this section apply to fixed and
personal/portable white space devices with a location accuracy of
50 meters. These distances must be increased by the amount
that the location uncertainty of a white space device exceeds 50 meters. Narrowband white space devices shall comply with the
separation distances applicable to a fixed white space device operating
with 30 dBm conducted power and 36 dBm EIRP across a 6 MHz channel.
(a) * * *
(2) Required separation distance. White space devices must be
located outside the contours indicated in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section of co-channel and adjacent channel stations by at least the
minimum distances specified in the tables in paragraph (a)(2)(v).
(i) If a device operates between two defined power levels, it must
comply with the separation distances for the higher power level.
(ii) White space devices operating at 40 mW EIRP or less are not
required to meet the adjacent channel separation distances.
(iii) Fixed white space devices operating at 100 mW EIRP or less
per 6 megahertz across multiple contiguous TV channels with at least 3-
megahertz separation between the frequency band occupied by the white
space device and adjacent TV channels are not required to meet the
adjacent channel separation distances.
(iv) Fixed white space devices may only operate above 4 W EIRP in
less congested areas as defined in Sec. 15.703.
(v) The following are the tables of minimum required separation
distances outside the contours of co-channel and adjacent channel
stations that white space devices must meet.
Table 2 to Section 15.712(a)(2)(v)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mode II personal/portable white space devices
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required separation in
kilometers from co-channel
digital or analog TV (full
service or low power)
protected contour
-------------------------------
20 dBm (100
16 dBm (40 mW) mW)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communicating with Mode II or Fixed 1.3 1.7
device.................................
Communicating with Mode I device........ 2.6 3.4
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 3 to Section 15.712(a)(2)(v)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed white space devices
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required separation in kilometers from co-channel digital or analog TV (full service or low power)
protected contour *
Antenna height above average terrain of -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
unlicensed devices (meters) 16 dBm (40 20 dBm (100 24 dBm (250 28 dBm (625 32 dBm 36 dBm (4 40 dBm (10 42 dBm (16
mW) mW) mW) mW) (1600 mW) W) W) W)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 3..................................... 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.7 3.3 4.0 4.5 5.0
3-10............................................ 2.4 3.1 3.8 4.8 6.1 7.3 8.5 9.4
10-30........................................... 4.2 5.1 6.0 7.1 8.9 11.1 13.9 15.3
30-50........................................... 5.4 6.5 7.7 9.2 11.5 14.3 19.1 20.9
50-75........................................... 6.6 7.9 9.4 11.1 13.9 18.0 23.8 26.2
75-100.......................................... 7.7 9.2 10.9 12.8 17.2 21.1 27.2 30.1
100-150......................................... 9.4 11.1 13.2 16.5 21.4 25.3 32.3 35.5
150-200......................................... 10.9 12.7 15.8 19.5 24.7 28.5 36.4 39.5
200-250......................................... 12.1 14.3 18.2 22.0 27.3 31.2 39.5 42.5
250-300......................................... 13.9 16.4 20.0 23.9 29.4 35.4 42.1 45.9
300-350......................................... 15.3 17.9 21.7 25.7 31.4 37.6 44.5 48.4
350-400......................................... 16.6 19.3 23.2 27.3 33.3 39.7 46.9 51.0
400-450......................................... 17.6 20.4 24.4 28.7 35.1 41.9 49.4 53.8
450-500......................................... 18.3 21.4 25.5 30.1 36.7 43.7 51.4 55.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* When communicating with Mode I personal/portable white space devices, the required separation distances must be increased beyond the specified
distances by 1.3 kilometers if the Mode I device operates at power levels no more than 40 mW EIRP or 1.7 kilometers if the Mode I device operates at
power levels above 40 mW EIRP.
[[Page 18911]]
Table 4 to Section 15.712(a)(2)(v)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal/portable white space devices
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required separation in
kilometers from
adjacent channel
digital or analog TV
(full service or low
power) protected
contour
------------------------
20 dBm (100 mW)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communicating with Mode II or Fixed device..... 0.1
Communicating with Mode I device............... 0.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table 5 to Section 15.712(a)(2)(v)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed white space devices
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required separation in kilometers from adjacent channel digital or analog TV (full service or low power)
protected contour *
Antenna height above average terrain of ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
unlicensed devices (meters) 20 dBm (100 24 dBm (250 28 dBm (625 32 dBm (1600
mW) mW) mW) mW) 36 dBm (4 W) 40 dBm (10 W) 42 dBm (16 W)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than 3............................. 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3
3-10.................................... 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
10-30................................... 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7
30-50................................... 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.8 1.0
50-75................................... 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
75-100.................................. 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.1 1.3
100-150................................. 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.5
150-200................................. 0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.5 1.7
200-250................................. 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.7 1.9
250-300................................. 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.6 2.1 2.3
300-350................................. 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.8 2.2 2.4
350-400................................. 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.9 2.4 2.7
400-450................................. 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.6 2.1 2.6 2.9
450-500................................. 0.8 1.1 1.4 1.7 2.1 2.7 2.9
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* When communicating with a Mode I personal/portable white space device that operates at power levels above 40 mW EIRP, the required separation
distances must be increased beyond the specified distances by 0.1 kilometers.
(3) Fixed white space device antenna height. Fixed white space
devices must comply with the requirements of Sec. 15.709(g) of this
part.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(3) * * *
(ii) White space devices operating with more than 4 watts EIRP and
up to 10 watts EIRP may not operate within 10.2 kilometers from the
receive site for co-channel operation and 2.5 kilometers from the
receive site for adjacent channel operation.
(iii) White space devices operating with more than 10 watts EIRP
may not operate within 16.6 kilometers from the receive site for co-
channel operation and 3.5 kilometers from the receive site for adjacent
channel operation.
(iv) For purposes of this section, a TV station being received may
include a full power TV station, TV translator station or low power TV/
Class A TV station.
(c) * * *
(2) * * *
(ii) White space devices operating with more than 4 watts EIRP and
up to 10 watts EIRP may not operate within 10.2 km from the receive
site for co-channel operation and 2.5 km from the receive site for
adjacent channel operation.
(iii) White space devices operating with more than 10 watts EIRP
may not operate within 16.6 kilometers from the receive site for co-
channel operation and 3.5 kilometers from the receive site for adjacent
channel operation.
(d) PLMRS/CMRS operations. (1) White space devices may not operate
at distances less than those specified in the table below from the
coordinates of the metropolitan areas and on the channels listed in
Sec. 90.303(a) of this chapter.
Table 6 to Section 15.712(d)(1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required separation in
kilometers from areas
specified in Sec. 90.303(a)
of this chapter
White space device transmitter power -------------------------------
Adjacent
Co-channel channel
operation operation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 watts EIRP or less.................... 134 131
Greater than 4 watts and less than 10 136 131.5
watts EIRP.............................
[[Page 18912]]
Greater than 10 watts EIRP.............. 139.2 132.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) White space devices may not operate at distances less than
those specified in the table below from PLMRS/CMRS operations
authorized by waiver outside of the metropolitan areas listed in Sec.
90.303(a) of this chapter.
Table 7 to Section 15.712(d)(2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Required separation in
kilometers from areas
specified in Sec. 90.303(a)
of this chapter
White space device transmitter power -------------------------------
Adjacent
Co-channel channel
operation operation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 watts EIRP or less.................... 54 51
Greater than 4 watts and less than 10 56 51.5
watts EIRP.............................
Greater than 10 watts EIRP.............. 59.2 52.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
(f) Low power auxiliary services, including wireless microphones.
White space devices are not permitted to operate within the following
distances of the coordinates of registered low power auxiliary station
sites on the registered channels during the designated times they are
used by low power auxiliary stations.
(1) Fixed white space devices with 10 watts EIRP or less: 1
kilometer
(2) Fixed white space devices with greater than 10 watts EIRP: 1.3
kilometers
(3) Personal/portable white space devices: 400 meters
* * * * *
(i) * * *
(1) Fixed white space devices may only operate above 4 W EIRP in
less congested areas as defined in Sec. 15.703.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 2020-06569 Filed 4-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P