digital tv spectrum

The National Association of Broadcasters said Friday that the news that the FCC would no longer test a Microsoft device being used to determine the feasibility of sharing digital-TV spectrum with unlicensed wireless devices was the third strike against the devices, while defenders of the devices said it was all part of the testing process.

Wireless veteran Anne Schelle was named executive director of the Open Mobile Video Coalition, the consortium of 800 local stations that is trying to create a new technical standard for using digital-TV spectrum to broadcast to cellular phones and other portable devices.

The Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) is calling strike three on testing of unlicensed wireless devices in the digital-TV spectrum band, while backers of the devices countered that it is still only batting practice.