0052-EX-ST-2001

Filing overview

Special Temporary Authority application - Address

Attention:

Dallas Nash

City:

Ridgeland

E-Mail Address:

[email protected]

State:

MS

Street Address:

274 Commerce Park Drive, Suite E

Zip Code:

39157

Special Temporary Authority application - Applicant Name

Name of Applicant:

SigFX, LLC

Special Temporary Authority application - Best Contact

First Name:

Dallas

Last Name:

Nash

Phone Number:

601-605-4411

Title:

CEO

Special Temporary Authority application - Certification

Applicant certification

Neither the applicant nor any other party to the application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. The applicant hereby waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the prvious use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.) The applicant acknowledges that all statements made in this application and attached exhibits are considered material representations, and that all the exhibits part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application; undersigned certifies that all statements in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Applicant certifies that construction of the station would NOT be an action which is likely to have a significant environmental effect. See the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR1.1301-1.1319.

Date:

2001-01-31 13:39:01.513

Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):

Catherine M. Krupka

Title of Applicant (if any):

Attorney for SigFX

Special Temporary Authority application - Explanation

Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:

SigFX seeks Special Temporary Authority (STA) to test a wireless digital communications system that carries voice and data messages on the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a broadcast signal. Under the requested STA, SigFX intends to conduct initial performance testing of its wireless communications method and associated equipment. The initial testing of the wireless communications system will be conducted in cooperation with television station Channel 46 in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Based on the results of this initial testing, SigFX expects to expand testing to include a VHF television station, a television station with repeaters, and a network of broadcast stations covering an extended geographic area. It will seek an experimental license to conduct this expanded testing. More specifically, in the first phase of testing covered by the requested STA, SigFX will deliver telecommunications content over Channel 46?s broadcast spectrum. Channel 46 is a 1000 watt low power broadcast station with an expected signal coverage area of 7 to 14 miles. SigFX will test its communications system within the station?s entire coverage area, although it expects that most of the communications testing will be completed within the 7 mile coverage area. The initial phase of testing will involve no more than 50 handheld spread spectrum devices, each with a power level of .6 watts. The testing will be designed so that no more than 15 handheld units will be talking simultaneously. SigFX will ensure that its testing is in compliance with the Commission?s rules for delivering telecommunications services in the VBI and is conducted only with the consent of the broadcaster. SigFX believes that it is unlikely that its technology will create interference issues with Channel 46?s broadcast signal or with other licensed communications transmissions in the testing area. SigFX holds this belief because communications content will be embedded in the VBI of the outgoing broadcast signal in a manner that will not increase the emissions of the broadcast signal. In addition, the handheld devices use spread spectrum technology and operate at a very low power level, thus mitigating the interference potential when a handheld device communicates over the broadcast spectrum to the receiving antenna back at the broadcast location. It is SigFX?s belief that its technology generates communications signals at such low power and emissions levels relative to the broadcast signal that interference during testing under the requested STA should not become an issue. However, SigFX agrees to curtail testing in instances where its service causes interference. Description of the Equipment Under the STA, SigFX will test two equipment components used in its wireless communications system ? a software defined, intelligent wireless radio device and return signal processor. SigFX?s intelligent wireless device is a hand-held spread spectrum subscriber radio unit with a consumer function akin to cellular, personal communications and specialized mobile radio hand-held devices. However, using an intelligent antenna with the ability to direct a signal to the appropriate transmitter, as well as embedded encoding and modulation capabilities, SigFX?s subscriber unit can send and receive voice and data communications messages carried on the VBI of a broadcast signal. The subscriber unit may be adapted to support multiple standards and add new service features through software, as opposed to hardware, modifications. SigFX?s return signal processor is a network component deployed at or near the broadcast station?s antenna location. The return signal processor operates as a multi-mode/multi-frequency call processing device capable of discerning communications signals embedded in the VBI of a broadcast signal, regardless of the coding scheme or frequency used. SigFX believes that the return signal processor and its subscriber unit can support a variety of coding schemes including: GSM HSCSD GPRS TDMA EDGE 1XRTT CMDA CDMA 2000 CDMA 1xEV W-CDMA TD-SCDMA ------- SigFX seeks an STA to conduct the initial phase of testing to allow it to refine its two-way VBI communications technology so that it may ultimately secure equipment authorizations from the Commission for all transmitting equipment associated with its system and so that it may work with broadcasters to deploy PCS-like communications systems as part of their service offerings. Theory of Operation SigFX has created a way to deploy a PCS-like communications system using television broadcast spectrum. Using SigFX technology, subscribers are assigned a universal personal telecommunications number that correlates to a mobile or stationary hand-held wireless communications device. This allows users to send and receive voice and data communications messages just as they would with a wireless telephone. However, rather than construct a separate wireless network to receive and deliver communications messages between a subscriber and other communications users (e.g., wireline and other wireless subscribers, computers, etc.), SigFX has invented a technology that allows communications signals to be transmitted and received by subscribers over the VBI of television broadcast signals. Using SigFX?s approach, a television broadcast system receives an encoded communications message from a broadcast interface and transmits a broadcast signal encoded with a voice or data communications message on a carrier of the outgoing broadcast signal. A mobile or fixed hand-held subscriber unit that includes a low power VBI transceiver or VBI/PCS composite transceiver and antenna detects and receives the outgoing signal. When the subscriber unit receives the encoded signal, the transceiver uses its decoding function to separate the communications message from the remainder of the broadcast signal so that the subscriber can listen to or see the communications message. The transceiver also includes input, encoding and VBI modulating capabilities that allow the subscriber to respond (e.g., by speaking or typing). The response is encoded and inserted into the VBI-modulated return message signal and the return signal is transmitted on the same or different carrier used for the original outgoing signal. The return signal is detected by a return signal processor housed at, or near the broadcast location. The return signal processor, along with a message processor, extracts the low power communications return signal from the VBI, processes the message, and transmits the message to its ultimate address via an interface with outside telecommunications networks (e.g., commercial or private wireline, wireless or satellite networks). SigFX believes it can implement such a network without interfering with television broadcast content and ancillary features and functions, such as closed captioning or electronic program guides and without increasing the emissions associated with the broadcast station. How the Program of Experimentation has a Reasonable Promise of Contributing to the Development, Extension, Expansion or Utilization of the Radio Art SigFX believes that its technology has the potential of contributing to the radio arts in four ways. Value-Added Spectrum Use ? SigFX?s technology will give television broadcasters the option of expanding their service offerings to include voice and data communications services. This opportunity will provide local broadcasters with the ability to enhance their market position in the face of competition from cable television, satellite television and the Internet without interfering with existing broadcast services. Spectrum Efficiency ? SigFX?s technology helps to address existing spectrum shortages for wireless voice and data communications applications and improves spectrum efficiency by putting available broadcast spectrum capability to additional use. Resource Efficient Deployment ? When compared with traditional wireless networks, the voice and data communications networks possible with SigFX technology may be constructed quickly and at low cost. Unlike cellular, SMR or PCS, where multiple antennas must be deployed over a large geographic area to achieve satisfactory signal coverage, SigFX?s technology allows a large geographic area to be served by a single or smaller number of antennas, because the communications coverage area mirrors or approximates that of the broadcast signal. For example, if a broadcast signal coverage area has a radius of 100 miles, SigFX?s wireless communications network would have the same or similar signal coverage area. A PCS operator could be required to deploy a larger number of antennas to achieve the same coverage. Moreover, because SigFX?s technology can be implemented through already deployed broadcast systems, little or no additional construction or permitting will be needed to launch the communications service. The signal coverage and deployment efficiencies associated with SigFX?s solution means that wireless communications services can be launched quickly and at a reduced cost. Bridging the Digital Divide ? Because of the resource and spectrum efficiencies associated with building a wireless communications network that relies on broadcast systems, SigFX?s technology represents a tool for bringing wireless communications services to rural and economically-challenged areas. Cost is a key barrier to wireless service deployment in these areas. Service providers tend to build wireless communications systems in areas with population size and density levels, as well as income levels, that are large enough to generate the subscription and call volumes needed to allow a provider to recover the costs associated with securing spectrum and building and serving the network. Rural and economically-challenged areas do not always present enough business opportunity to justify the high cost of deploying service. SigFX?s technology helps to solve this problem because it allows a broadcaster or its business partner to avoid the costs associated with securing spectrum at auction, constructing multiple cell sites, obtaining zoning permits, and deploying the necessary technology. Thus, the financial model used to determine whether a wireless communications system can be cost-justified is altered significantly because fewer subscribers and less revenue generation are needed to ensure that costs are recovered and profits are possible. SigFX expects that these benefits will provide incentive for companies to bring wireless communications systems to rural and economically-challenged areas that are being left behind currently in the digital revolution.

Special Temporary Authority application - Information

Callsign:

WB9XLR

Class of Station:

FX MO

Nature of Service:

Experimental

Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Explanation

Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary:

SigFX seeks Special Temporary Authority (STA) to test a wireless digital communications system that carries voice and data messages on the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of a broadcast signal. Under the requested STA, SigFX intends to conduct initial performance testing of its wireless communications method and associated equipment. The initial testing of the wireless communications system will be conducted in cooperation with television station Channel 46 in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Based on the results of this initial testing, SigFX expects to expand testing to include a VHF television station, a television station with repeaters, and a network of broadcast stations covering an extended geographic area. It will seek an experimental license to conduct this expanded testing. More specifically, in the first phase of testing covered by the requested STA, SigFX will deliver telecommunications content over Channel 46?s broadcast spectrum. Channel 46 is a 1000 watt low power broadcast station with an expected signal coverage area of 7 to 14 miles. SigFX will test its communications system within the station?s entire coverage area, although it expects that most of the communications testing will be completed within the 7 mile coverage area. The initial phase of testing will involve no more than 50 handheld spread spectrum devices, each with a power level of .6 watts. The testing will be designed so that no more than 15 handheld units will be talking simultaneously. SigFX will ensure that its testing is in compliance with the Commission?s rules for delivering telecommunications services in the VBI and is conducted only with the consent of the broadcaster. SigFX believes that it is unlikely that its technology will create interference issues with Channel 46?s broadcast signal or with other licensed communications transmissions in the testing area. SigFX holds this belief because communications content will be embedded in the VBI of the outgoing broadcast signal in a manner that will not increase the emissions of the broadcast signal. In addition, the handheld devices use spread spectrum technology and operate at a very low power level, thus mitigating the interference potential when a handheld device communicates over the broadcast spectrum to the receiving antenna back at the broadcast location. It is SigFX?s belief that its technology generates communications signals at such low power and emissions levels relative to the broadcast signal that interference during testing under the requested STA should not become an issue. However, SigFX agrees to curtail testing in instances where its service causes interference. Description of the Equipment Under the STA, SigFX will test two equipment components used in its wireless communications system ? a software defined, intelligent wireless radio device and return signal processor. SigFX?s intelligent wireless device is a hand-held spread spectrum subscriber radio unit with a consumer function akin to cellular, personal communications and specialized mobile radio hand-held devices. However, using an intelligent antenna with the ability to direct a signal to the appropriate transmitter, as well as embedded encoding and modulation capabilities, SigFX?s subscriber unit can send and receive voice and data communications messages carried on the VBI of a broadcast signal. The subscriber unit may be adapted to support multiple standards and add new service features through software, as opposed to hardware, modifications. SigFX?s return signal processor is a network component deployed at or near the broadcast station?s antenna location. The return signal processor operates as a multi-mode/multi-frequency call processing device capable of discerning communications signals embedded in the VBI of a broadcast signal, regardless of the coding scheme or frequency used. SigFX believes that the return signal processor and its subscriber unit can support a variety of coding schemes including: GSM HSCSD GPRS TDMA EDGE 1XRTT CMDA CDMA 2000 CDMA 1xEV W-CDMA TD-SCDMA

Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Information

Class of Station:

MO

Special Temporary Authority application - Initial values - Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

SigFX seeks an STA to conduct the initial phase of testing to allow it to refine its two-way VBI communications technology so that it may ultimately secure equipment authorizations from the Commission for all transmitting equipment associated with its system and so that it may work with broadcasters to deploy PCS-like communications systems as part of their service offerings. Theory of Operation SigFX has created a way to deploy a PCS-like communications system using television broadcast spectrum. Using SigFX technology, subscribers are assigned a universal personal telecommunications number that correlates to a mobile or stationary hand-held wireless communications device. This allows users to send and receive voice and data communications messages just as they would with a wireless telephone. However, rather than construct a separate wireless network to receive and deliver communications messages between a subscriber and other communications users (e.g., wireline and other wireless subscribers, computers, etc.), SigFX has invented a technology that allows communications signals to be transmitted and received by subscribers over the VBI of television broadcast signals. Using SigFX?s approach, a television broadcast system receives an encoded communications message from a broadcast interface and transmits a broadcast signal encoded with a voice or data communications message on a carrier of the outgoing broadcast signal. A mobile or fixed hand-held subscriber unit that includes a low power VBI transceiver or VBI/PCS composite transceiver and antenna detects and receives the outgoing signal. When the subscriber unit receives the encoded signal, the transceiver uses its decoding function to separate the communications message from the remainder of the broadcast signal so that the subscriber can listen to or see the communications message. The transceiver also includes input, encoding and VBI modulating capabilities that allow the subscriber to respond (e.g., by speaking or typing). The response is encoded and inserted into the VBI-modulated return message signal and the return signal is transmitted on the same or different carrier used for the original outgoing signal. The return signal is detected by a return signal processor housed at, or near the broadcast location. The return signal processor, along with a message processor, extracts the low power communications return signal from the VBI, processes the message, and transmits the message to its ultimate address via an interface with outside telecommunications networks (e.g., commercial or private wireline, wireless or satellite networks). SigFX believes it can implement such a network without interfering with television broadcast content and ancillary features and functions, such as closed captioning or electronic program guides and without increasing the emissions associated with the broadcast station. How the Program of Experimentation has a Reasonable Promise of Contributing to the Development, Extension, Expansion or Utilization of the Radio Art SigFX believes that its technology has the potential of contributing to the radio arts in four ways. Value-Added Spectrum Use ? SigFX?s technology will give television broadcasters the option of expanding their service offerings to include voice and data communications services. This opportunity will provide local broadcasters with the ability to enhance their market position in the face of competition from cable television, satellite television and the Internet without interfering with existing broadcast services. Spectrum Efficiency ? SigFX?s technology helps to address existing spectrum shortages for wireless voice and data communications applications and improves spectrum efficiency by putting available broadcast spectrum capability to additional use. Resource Efficient Deployment ? When compared with traditional wireless networks, the voice and data communications networks possible with SigFX technology may be constructed quickly and at low cost. Unlike cellular, SMR or PCS, where multiple antennas must be deployed over a large geographic area to achieve satisfactory signal coverage, SigFX?s technology allows a large geographic area to be served by a single or smaller number of antennas, because the communications coverage area mirrors or approximates that of the broadcast signal. For example, if a broadcast signal coverage area has a radius of 100 miles, SigFX?s wireless communications network would have the same or similar signal coverage area. A PCS operator could be required to deploy a larger number of antennas to achieve the same coverage. Moreover, because SigFX?s technology can be implemented through already deployed broadcast systems, little or no additional construction or permitting will be needed to launch the communications service. The signal coverage and deployment efficiencies associated with SigFX?s solution means that wireless communications services can be launched quickly and at a reduced cost. Bridging the Digital Divide ? Because of the resource and spectrum efficiencies associated with building a wireless communications network that relies on broadcast systems, SigFX?s technology represents a tool for bringing wireless communications services to rural and economically-challenged areas. Cost is a key barrier to wireless service deployment in these areas. Service providers tend to build wireless communications systems in areas with population size and density levels, as well as income levels, that are large enough to generate the subscription and call volumes needed to allow a provider to recover the costs associated with securing spectrum and building and serving the network. Rural and economically-challenged areas do not always present enough business opportunity to justify the high cost of deploying service. SigFX?s technology helps to solve this problem because it allows a broadcaster or its business partner to avoid the costs associated with securing spectrum at auction, constructing multiple cell sites, obtaining zoning permits, and deploying the necessary technology. Thus, the financial model used to determine whether a wireless communications system can be cost-justified is altered significantly because fewer subscribers and less revenue generation are needed to ensure that costs are recovered and profits are possible. SigFX expects that these benefits will provide incentive for companies to bring wireless communications systems to rural and economically-challenged areas that are being left behind currently in the digital revolution.

Special Temporary Authority application - Manufacturer

Equipment 1 Experimental

Yes

Equipment 1 Manufacturer

SigFX

Equipment 1 Model Number

TBD

Equipment 1 No. Of Units

50

Special Temporary Authority application - Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

Test, development, and demonstration of digital communications during the vertical blanking interval of a television signal.

Special Temporary Authority application - Requested Period of Operation

Operation End Date:

08/14/2001

Operation Start Date:

02/15/2001

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