Proposal to Relax DTS Boundaries Threatens White Spaces Use, Microsoft Says

Microsoft officials said a proposal to relax rules for distributed transmission systems that broadcasters seek to use for ATSC 3.0 raises concerns as the company rolls out its Airband service in the TV white spaces. Commissioners are to vote on an item for the March 31 meeting (see 2003100065). Microsoft "highlighted the importance of including questions on the potential impact the proposed rule revisions would have on white space device users in the item,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 20-74. Service area for DTS in the UHF band measures 64 miles from the reference point to the edge of the broadcast service area and “the proposed item would effectively extend this area to 153 miles,” representatives told aides to Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Jessica Rosenworcel.