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FCC Plans to Allow Wireless Networking on Unused TV Channels

Posted by michael on from the better-than-knight-rider-reruns dept.

RKBA writes "Federal regulators have endorsed a plan to use vacant TV bandwidth for wireless Internet connections. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell says it would 'dramatically increase' the availability and quality of wireless Internet connections -- especially for people in rural areas. Powell says it would be like 'doubling the number of lanes on a congested highway.' But TV broadcasters oppose the proposal. They argue that it would interfere with over-the-air television signals for millions of people. The FCC commissioners voted unanimously to begin the lengthy rulemaking process for the plan."

9 of 250 comments (clear)

  1. Great by Bobdoer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Now all of the interference I get will be in the form of reruns.

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    EVERYDAY IS CATURDAY
  2. Weird Al was right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Thanks to this, now they will have it all on UHF.

  3. Slashdot on channel 47 would be nice by MrRuslan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does this mean my TV is gonna get slashdoted somehow?

  4. Vacancy by tds67 · · Score: 5, Funny
    "For more than half a century, vacant TV channels (which represent some of the most valuable spectrum available) have been underutilized," Gelsinger said in a statement.

    With all the daytime talk shows and nighttime reality shows on now, I'd say that all channels are vacant.

  5. Yay.!!! by beacher · · Score: 2, Funny

    Seeing how the entire TV spectrum is pretty much vacant, this means good things and more bandwidth! Let the porno webcams commence! Out with the bad air, in with the sexually explicit bad air!

  6. Why don't they... by polecat_redux · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...take the unused bandwidth and divert it toward broadcasting shows that havn't been dumbed-down for the masses?

  7. geez, your spelling! by penguinoid · · Score: 5, Funny

    You added an extra 'm' in "asses"

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    Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
  8. Re:FCC: Government actually working right? by Alien+Being · · Score: 2, Funny

    "While I hardly think that Powell and others are 'in the pocket' of the presidential administration,"

    He started out in this life very close to the pocket of the secretary of state.

  9. I can see the ads already... by rune2 · · Score: 3, Funny


    Slashdot: coming to a TV near you!