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FCC To Expand Wireless Spectrum

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-isn't-that-nice-of-them dept.

Makarand writes "According to this article in the SF Chronicle the FCC will expand the wireless spectrum to push broadband into rural areas. However, consumer groups were quick to point out that these frequencies are not powerful enough to handle long range broadband communications. They want the FCC to open lower frequencies that can penetrate through walls and trees for wireless applications in rural areas."

4 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. What about Ricochet? by RobertB-DC · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Sometimes, the best links on an article are the ones that go to yet another story.

    SFGate.com also has this interesting article from almost a year ago on the return of Ricochet:
    Ricochet is also targeting residents who can't get high-speed access otherwise. Its signals are sent from radios on poles and rooftops, allowing users with laptops and other mobile devices to stay connected while they roam around.

    It sounds like Ricochet is going to use the unregulated 900 MHz band to do the same thing that the FCC is going to do with regulated spectrum (that's already in use by the military).

    Of course, another kicker is this paragraph:
    Aerie Networks Inc. has resurrected Ricochet, spending $8.25 million for technology and equipment that Metricom spent $1.3 billion developing.

    Of all the times to have spent $8,250,000 on lottery tickets!

    --
    Stressed? Me? Of course not. Stress is what a rubber band feels before it breaks, silly.
  2. They did this on purpose. by PhilipPeake · · Score: 4, Interesting
    BPL (broadband over electricity distribution lines) has been pretty much abandoned/banned in most of the world because of the interference it causes. Of course, in the US, interference has to be balanced against MONEY, so its still somehwta alive here. Especially with the newest version, which doesn't spew its guts all over the SW spectrum, but zaps the... wait for it ... 5GHz band!

    No wonder the FCC is so benevolent as to donate this spectrum to wireless internet services - they know its about to become useless thanks to pollution from BPL.

  3. Re:The more the better. by Aardpig · · Score: 4, Interesting

    They will find uses for each frequency range.

    ...all the while ignoring the fact that many frequency ranges are already used by astronomers to observe and study the universe. By polluting our window on the Cosmos, we risk losing the chance to discover how it all began. *Sigh*.

    --
    Tubal-Cain smokes the white owl.
  4. How about interferences with hearing aids? by antdude · · Score: 4, Interesting

    My bone conduction hearing aid has interferences with many cellular phones and WAPs (if I am close enough to one).

    Will this FCC's decision going to make the situation worse for those who wear hearing aids like me?

    --
    Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).