Two weeks ago we met with the FCC to discuss our progress in building a TV bands database and to present a set of documents outlining our “understanding of a general industry consensus”. This understanding was based on extensive collaboration with over a dozen companies, industry trade groups and self-represented experts, all of whom have been actively involved in the development of a TV bands database. Nevertheless, verbally and in writing we represented the ideas entirely as our own.
Last Monday Edmund Thomas, representing Dell and Microsoft on this matter, fired off a note essentially saying “don’t count us in.” What’s odd is that neither Dell nor Microsoft have been involved in any Database development discussions but all of their earlier ex-parte comments were incorporated wherever possible.
When we discussed the matter with Microsoft directly, they hadn’t yet read the documents, so this is probably just a what it seems: a clarification that Dell & Microsoft haven’t officially weighed in yet.
It’s worth noting that the letter takes no issue with the substance of our work.
August 24: DELL, MICROSOFT DISPUTE ‘INDUSTRY CONSENSUS’ ON ‘WHITE SPACES’ DATABASE
Dell, Inc., and Microsoft, Inc., told the FCC yesterday that they are “puzzled” by a recent ex parte filing submitted by Key Bridge Global LLC that mentioned there is “a general industry consensus” concerning implementation of a TV “white spaces” database. Key Bridge Global wants to be selected as a database operator. “Although Dell and Microsoft appreciate Key Bridge’s efforts to further the discussion regarding white spaces databases, Dell and Microsoft are puzzled by Key Bridge’s claim that its filing reflects a ‘general industry consensus’ regarding database implementation and operation,” the companies said in an ex parte filing yesterday in Engineering and Technology docket 04-186. “To avoid confusion in the record, Dell and Microsoft wish to make clear that they have not authorized Key Bridge to make any presentations to the Commission on their behalf, including any presentations regarding a putative ‘industry consensus’ on white spaces databases Moreover, Dell and Microsoft note that much of Key Bridge’s 83-page submission discusses specific protocols and standards, which are outside the scope of the White Spaces Order and should remain so.”
August 14: KEY BRIDGE OUTLINES ‘INDUSTRY CONSENSUS’ ON OPERATIONS IN WHITE SPACES
Officials with Key Bridge Global LLC recently met with the FCC’s Office of Engineering & Technology to present their “understanding of a general industry consensus” on a range of issues related to unlicensed operation in television white spaces, outlining details related to a database architecture, security framework, and interference protection methods. In an ex parte filing in ET docket 04-186, Key Bridge, a Virginia company that is seeking FCC authorization to operate a TV white spaces database, said that such a database must do the following: protect incumbent licensees; publish unlicensed availability on a nondiscriminatory basis; maximize customer convenience and transparency; and execute FCC regulations as a neutral party. KeyBridge said it continues to develop its own implementation of the general designs outlined in its filings and that it plans to conduct a field trial later in the fall.
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I have some experience here. While at Comcast I oversaw certification and evaluation of all network devices, including next-gen set top boxes like the DOCSIS STB, which uses IP as a control channel instead of the proprietary Moto & Scientific Atlanta back-channel protocols. IP provides the foundation for interactive middleware. Add a CPU and hard drive (DVR) and you have the makings of a real media center.