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FCC could free up 'white space' for broadband use [usatoday.com]
White space is industry lingo for the unused airwaves that abut TV spectrum and provide a buffer from stray signals and other interference.On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to vote on a measure that would make white space available for wireless broadband. Under the proposal, these airwaves would be treated like Wi-Fi — unlicensed and free to everybody.
"It will be like the Wi-Fi you get at Starbucks, only a lot better," says FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who first proposed the idea four years ago. The FCC's goal: to serve the expanding broadband needs of U.S. consumer.
serve the expanding broadband needs of U.S. consumer
Total nonsense as many of the city-wide wifi initiatives such as MetroFi already went down in flames so if it was needed so badly, it would've survived already unless it was ahead of it's time.
[wifinetnews.com...]
If you can't keep city-wide wifi alive in Silicon Valley, do people need to keep throwing money at something that doesn't seem to want to exist?
Android, iPhone, HTC Dream, etc. They're becoming commonplace nowadays.
Wifi before was slow, awkward, and you had to whip out a laptop to use it.
Things have changed.
The Federal Communications Commission reported Monday that it will postpone the planned Election Day vote on the universal service fund and major revisions to intercarrier compensation.
FCC Delays Tuesday Vote, Prepares For 'White Spaces' Ballot [informationweek.com]
The FCC is still scheduled to vote on the so-called "white spaces" issue, which refers to the unused spectrum that exists alongside the 700-MHz band and could provide unlicensed access for wireless service. Public-interest groups and many high-tech industry interests, including Google (NSDQ: GOOG) and Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), support the flexible use of white spaces. They argue that the spectrum could be a source of inexpensive access to wireless service.Broadcasters and other entrenched service providers maintain the spectrum could interfere with existing services.
Among other things, the postponed issues could allow major telecommunications providers like AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) to charge consumers more for service.
[edited by: Marcia at 10:14 pm (utc) on Nov. 4, 2008]
