Arcata, CA – June 19, 2009 – Carlson Wireless Technologies, Inc. (CWT) has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reconsider sections of FCC Docket 04-186, Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands Additional Spectrum for unlicensed devices below 900 MHz and in the 3 GHz band. Carlson Wireless supports fixed wireless use of TV white space spectrum, while opposing those petitions that seek to add costs that could stifle white space use, particularly in rural area of the country where access to broadband facilities is often lacking. White spaces are frequencies allocated to a broadcasting service but not used locally. The FCC recently ruled that unlicensed devices which do not interfere with assigned broadcasts can operate in unused white spaces in the spectrum.
CWT agreed with IEEE and the Wireless Internet Services Providers Association (“WISPA“) that there are needs for several proposed changes to FCC language regarding issues such as minimum height for receive antennas, spectrum sensing requirements, interference to and from wireless microphones and sensing-only approval procedures.
“We believe there is a real opportunity to provide significantly expanded broadband service to rural areas,” said Jim Carlson CEO of CWT. “We agree with the White Spaces Coalition’s proposition that movement in this direction is important if we are to bridge the digital divide.” The White Spaces Coalition is an alliance of technology heavy hitters such as Microsoft, Google, Dell, HP, Intel, EarthLink and Samsung.
Carlson Wireless is a wireless technology and equipment manager based in Arcata, California. It designs and manufactures broadband equipment for low teledensity and other underserved communities. Carlson Wireless recently developed and began marketing its LongHaul and SwiftGrid lines of wireless data transport radios that provide affordable, high quality fixed low latency backhaul at distances exceeding 80 miles.
CWT’s wireless backhaul equipment can enable wireless internet service providers (“WISPs“) to more efficiently and economically serve rural and remote areas that cannot otherwise gain affordable access to the Internet backbone. CWT also provides wireless solutions to public safety organizations to support first responders and other critical needs. With the introduction of the SwiftTM radio platform the CWT product portfolio recently expanded to include 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.3-2.7 GHz, 3.65 GHz, 4.9 GHz, 5.x GHz, and 6.0 GHz frequencies.
For over a decade Carlson Wireless has been a leader in providing TDM and IP wireless communications solutions for telecom, enterprise and public safety agencies around the world. Carlson Wireless’ unique combination of their exclusive TrueTDMTM. SWiFTTM and TCP/IP technologies allows for perfect wireline quality for Broadband, T1/E1, SCADA, POTS, and 4-wire E&M, a variety of applications. For more information visit www.CarlsonWireless.com