Isn’t cable’s opposition to the use of white space devices an anti-competitive ploy designed to stifle competition in broadband services?

No, because the more consumers that are exposed to these kinds of new services, the more demand there will be.  While cable has been a leader in delivering in broadband services to consumers, millions of Americans still do not use broadband (for a variety of reasons).  Any new service that increases consumer demand for broadband and mobile content is a net positive for industries that are providing these services.  Cable’s concern is straightforward – any new technology shouldn’t interfere with the right of consumers to enjoy the services to which they already subscribe.

If cable channels aren’t delivered to homes “over the air” how can they be affected by white space devices that will use the public airwaves?

Since cable television systems have no white spaces, the interference concerns are different than what the broadcast industry has expressed.  Instead of the interference caused by signals “crashing” together, cable is concerned that the high power level of the white space devices will cause TV static or disruptions to cable’s video programming.  The high power levels could also jeopardize the broadband and telephone services that cable delivers to millions of consumers.

How can cable’s concerns about white space interference be addressed?

NCTA has proposed that the FCC adopt the following technical rules to ensure that the devices to do not interfere with delivery of cable services to consumers:

1. Restrict the operation of portable devices to a maximum of 10 mW and prohibit transmissions in the VHF channels given the high probability of direct pickup interference to TV receivers. 
2. Prohibit operations, at a minimum, on channels 2- 4.
3. Restrict the operation of fixed devices to at least 400 feet from the external walls of residential buildings.
4. Prohibit operation of fixed devices in VHF channels.
5. Require spectrum coordination before operation of portable devices on channels adjacent to those being received at headends.
6. Of the suggested methods by which fixed and portable devices might automatically determine channel availability, it appears that auto-location (GPS or equivalent), combined with regular access to a reliable database containing geographically-indexed lists of available channels, has the potential to provide the flexibility and reliability required to protect headend reception.