The Association of Maximum Service Television has issued a new 24-page study underscoring its earlier claims that so-called white space devices would interfere severely with new digital TV sets and the planned converters that would allow consumers to receive digital signals on their analog TV sets.

"Proponents of unlicensed devices have relied on rhetoric, not research, to make their claims," said MSTV President David Donovan. "By focusing on science and sound engineering, this report raises serious questions about placing unlicensed devices in the television band."

Championed by computer and software companies, white space devices would use spectrum between broadcast TV channels.

The study is timely. MSTV has been at the forefront of efforts to eliminate or modify provisions of pending Senate legislation that would authorize unlicensed white space devices without, MSTV says, proper FCC testing and certification.

The paper was written by two MSTV technologists, Victor Tawil and Bruce Franca. "This report approaches the issue from a solid engineering and scientific perspective," said Tawil. "We document problems with interference from out-of-band emissions, interference from operating on the first adjacent channel, and a significant potential for co-channel interference.  These problems cannot be ignored and dismissed."