Press Release
----------------------------------------------------------------IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee Launches Project to Develop Standard on Coexistence of
Wireless Networks in the TV White Space
Contact:
Steve Shellhammer, IEEE 802.19 Working Group Chair
+1 858-658-1874, shellhammer@ieee.org
or
Karen McCabe, IEEE-SA Marketing Director
+1 732-562-3824, k.mccabe@ieee.org
PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, XX January 2010 – The IEEE 802.19 Wireless Coexistence Working Group
received approval for a new project, IEEE 802.19.1, to develop a standard for coexistence between
wireless networks operating in the TV white space. In November 2008 the United States Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) issued a report and order (R&O) providing the rules, under which
unlicensed wireless devices can operate in unused TV channels, referred to as “TV white space.”
Regulators in other countries have also been considering TV white space regulations. These TV white
space channels are the channels that are not utilized by TV broadcasts CATV Head-ends, nor
professional wireless microphones in a given geographic location.
There are already several projects for development of standards for wireless networks operating in the
TV white space. The IEEE 802.22 Working Group for several years has been developing a standard for
wireless regional area networks (WRANs) in the TV white space. Recently the IEEE 802.11 working
group initiated a project to develop an amendment to the 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN)
standard for operation in the TV white space. In addition to these two project, other unlicensed
wireless use of the TV white space is likely.
The regulations for operation in the TV white space do not restrict access to any particular type of
wireless device. Since these wireless networks are unlicensed they do not have exclusive access to the
TV white space. Therefore, in any given location there may be multiple types of unlicensed wireless
networks accessing the TV white space. In some locations there may be many TV white space channels
while in other locations there may only be a few TV white space channels. According to the IEEE 802.19
Working Group Chair, Steve Shellhammer, “It is important that these unlicensed TV white space
networks coexist well in conditions where there is an abundance of white space spectrum and also in
conditions where there is limited TV white space spectrum.”
“Standardized coexistence mechanisms between wireless networks operating in the unlicensed TV white
space spectrum are critical to prevent interference between different wireless technologies. The
802.19.1 project provides an excellent consensus-driven forum open to all stakeholder to develop that
Standard,” according to Paul Nikolich the IEEE 802 Chair.
For more information on the IEEE P802.19 working group, visit http://www.ieee802.org/19/
About the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee
The IEEE 802® LAN/MAN Standards Committee develops LAN and metropolitan area network (MAN)
standards. The most widely used standards are for the Ethernet family, Token Ring, Wireless LAN,
Wireless PAN, Wireless MAN, Bridging and Virtual Bridged LANs. An individual working group provides
the focus for each area. Decisions by the IEEE 802 task groups and working groups will shape
communications for years to come. For more information about the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards
Committee, see http:// ieee802.org.
About the IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association, a globally recognized standards-setting body, develops consensus
standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder
community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and
technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of 900 active standards and more than 400
standards under development. For information on the IEEE-SA, see: http://standards.ieee.org.
About IEEE
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.), the world's largest technical professional
society, is commemorating its 125th anniversary in 2009 by "Celebrating 125 Years of Engineering the
Future" around the globe. Through its more than 375,000 members in 160 countries, IEEE is a leading
authority on a wide variety of areas ranging from aerospace systems, computers and
telecommunications to biomedical engineering, electric power and consumer electronics. Dedicated to
the advancement of technology, IEEE publishes 30 percent of the world's literature in the electrical and
electronics engineering and computer science fields, and has developed nearly 900 active industry
standards. The organization annually sponsors more than 850 conferences worldwide. Additional
information about IEEE can be found at http://www.ieee.org.