FCC greenlights Qualcomm's FLO

Qualcomm's subsidiary MediaFLO can now deploy its mobile TV technology in more markets than previously thought next year thanks to a ruling from the Federal Communications Commission. MediaFLO, which plans to deploy its technology in the 700 MHz band that Qualcomm owns for mobile TV services, couldn't deploy services in some areas of the Channel 55 license because of potential interferences with broadcasters located in the adjacent Channels 54 and 56. Qualcomm filed a petition with the FCC to allow relief from certain interference protection rules.

The commission's ruling specifies both the permitted level of minimal interference and the methodology to calculate the presence of interference from MediaFLO USA to TV or DTV stations on Channels 54, 55 or 56 until the DTV transition ends on February 17, 2009--when the stations must move off those channels.

Crown Castle's Modeo is hamstrung by the same rules in the L-Band and has a similar petition pending with the FCC. The company plans to deploy DVB-H in 30 top markets by the end of 2007.

For more on Qualcomm's FLO service:
- see this company release
- also check out the press release from the FCC
- and the article from RCR News