FCC Considers Expanding Unlicensed Spectrum

Syntari writes "Reuters is reporting that the US Federal Communications Commission has begun to seek comment (the first step in promulgating regulations) "on whether unlicensed devices, like wireless home networks for Internet service, could operate on television broadcast airwaves in areas where they are not being used or at times when the spectrum lay fallow". The news release by the FCC itself, in MS-Word format, is online. This is pretty big, as these things go - especially since television spectrum, being of a wavelength that easily penetrates walls and is not overly affected by rain or snow, is ideal for wireless services. Should any slashdotter actually want to submit a comment (gasp! could it be?), read this first (FCC's rules on electronic comment submission), and then go here."

Comments

WOW!!!

[Zone-MR]

So now slashdotters can legally broadcast donkey pr0n to their towns TV sets, providing they use a channel which isnt in use by CNN...

kewl.

Re:Anyone Else Complain to FCC about "Word"?

[killmenow]

Yes...contents of my e-mail to the commissioner, every chairperson, and the webmaster:

Dear Chairman Powell et. al.:

Today I read an article proclaiming the FCC is requesting comments on whether the FCC should expand the unlicensed wireless spectrum.

I would like the opportunity to comment on this, but first I want to read the FCC's release. Unfortunately, I cannot do this. The release ( http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/ DOC-229400A1.doc ) is in a proprietary format that requires a proprietary piece of software that I do not own.

As a citizen, registered voter, and political activist, I find it unacceptable that my government would force me to purchase software from a proprietary software vendor in order to take part in the political process. Requiring the purchase of said software is equivalent to an illegal taxation of the people and an illegal subsidy of a company *convicted* under the Sherman Act as an abusive monopoly.

Please cease releasing documents in proprietary formats that only serve to extend a criminal organization's monopoly control over the desktop software market while simultaneously locking out citizens such as myself from participating in the political process.

Good day to you all,

-ME