A TV whitespace ecosystem for licensed cognitive radio

The paper looks at the role of cognitive radio in TV whitespace and suggests that European and US policy makers have limited its exploitation because of a predominant focus on cognitive radio as a device that is primarily suited for unlicensed opportunistic spectrum access. The paper suggests that markets for pragmatically conceived cognitive radios can be safely exploited within the confines of licensed spectrum, rather than solely in the domain of unlicensed opportunistic scenarios. Both European and US policy perspectives are analysed as they pertain to both cognitive radios and the TV whitespace, identifying the contradictions and opportunities therein. The analysis shows that regulators have already formulated many of the policy tools necessary to create a coherent ecosystem for license-based exploitation of TV whitespace by cognitive radios and that there are opportunities for broadening the regulation of TV whitespace.

► Cognitive radio is shown to be exploitable beyond the low-power, unlicensed domain.
► CR exploitation of service- and technology-neutral licensed spectrum is motivated.
► An analysis of existing policy tools suited to supporting CR is presented.
► An ecosystem formed by flexible licenses, band managers and leasing is recommended.