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FCC Opens Wireless 3.6GHZ Band

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the two-scoops-of-spectrum dept.

mdeb writes "Broadband Reports has a story on the FCC opening up a portion of the 3.6 GHz spectrum. "This initiative would reserve 50 megahertz in the 3.6 GHz band for unlicensed wireless Internet operations. Setting aside this spectrum would make it easier for vendors to build devices that would work across all Wi-Fi frequencies and create new wireless Internet opportunities in rural America. The new proposal would allow transmissions at power levels higher than currently permitted for Part 15 unlicensed devices.""

7 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. Rural Broadband via Wireless by Johnny+Doughnuts · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Does this mean if I lived out in the 'country', and my neighbours had nodes, or a corporate sponsership program was setup, internet would be readily available?

    (honest question, seriously)

    1. Re:Rural Broadband via Wireless by Old+Uncle+Bill · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Yeah, I thought this was part of the spectrum they were planning on using for 802.16a. I know Redline is using 5.8, but I thought I read somewhere that they were using a bunch of frequencies including somewhere in the 3 GHz range for WiMax.

      --
      Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
  2. Covering all spectrums? by drewzhrodague · · Score: 4, Interesting

    With so many different rf ranges available for potential IP traffic, how do we cover all bands? I'm psyched that there are so many options available to us, b, g, a. It's nice to see so many unintended uses. Welcome to the future!

    --
    Zhrodague.net - I do projects and stuff too.
  3. Re:Does distance scale with frequency? by pholower · · Score: 4, Interesting

    But since this is only been reserved for internet usage you will not have all of the other crap on this range as you do on the 2.4GHz band. Cell phones, portable handhelds, WiFi, 2-ways... etc. This list goes on, and companies keep building more items for them.

    --
    -- johntracy.com, because everybody else is wrong.
  4. Goodie, more power in the air! by bo0ork · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Luckily, no-one has proved that high-frequency constant radiation is bad for your health. Yet.

    --
    Does everything include nothing?
  5. Go go satellite rangers! by Wellmont · · Score: 2, Interesting

    "Approximately 100 satellite earth stations, primarily located on the East and West Coasts, are licensed in the 3650 MHz band. The FCC stated that wireless Internet service providers could use cognitive technology to safeguard against harmful interference to fixed satellite links."

    this to me seems like internet starting to infringe on satellite radio...I'm all for it but I can't help but be reminded of the similarities in decreased performance that came about when cordless phones went from 900mhz to 2.4 Ghz. Yeah everything is clearer but you had the possibility of confussion as microwaves are turned on, two different wireless networks are running in your house...etc. Why aren't we moving towards a standard communication protocal that is scalable, instead of licensing of bands willy nilly (eg use of the satellite protocal for these wireless internet companies). Open to suggestions here.

  6. Whats my power limit? by randomErr · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I was wondering how much power can I put out? .1 watts? 10 watts? 100 watts?

    --
    You say things that offend me and I can deal with it. Can you?