WiFi Signals In Between Television Frequencies

compgenius3 writes "The FCC unanimously voted today to allow wireless providers to use the frequencies between television stations to broadcast WiFi in rural areas. Broadcasters argue that this will cause interference on television stations but the FCC chairman says otherwise." Update: 05/18 23:40 GMT by T : compgenius3 points out NAB president Edward Fritts' skepticism of the plan, as reflected in this press release citing fears of intereference to over-the-air broadcasts.

Comments

A valid concern

[erick99]

From my experience as a ham radio operator (KE3PB) I know that RF interference is certainly possible unless every precaution (and then some...) is taken. There can be harmonics, spurious signals, oscillators, etcInterference in this case is a very valid concern but one that can be adequately addressed if all parties work cooperatively together.

Happy Trails!

Erick

Re:A valid concern

[mstovenour]

I agree. The current regulatory environment makes it more and more important to have abuse monitoring and enforcement of the strict transmission rules. However, I only see regulations loosening up with no effort to extend monitoring and enforcement. This trend is likely to result in serious problems from the consumer's perspective.

I live in an area that is already targeted by wide area WiFi and other technologies. I occasionally experience 1 or 2 hours where I cannot receive broadcast TV, FM radio, or even weather alert radio broadcasts. During the event I cannot receive broadcasts at my home or FM radio in my car within a mile or so. I strongly suspect that it is a wireless operator in my local area but proving it will take some serious effort on my part. I always notice when the event begins because my wireless mouse stops working.

What about FM?

[justforaday]

Doesn't the entire FM range fall between channels 6 and 7? Why aren't the TV stations getting pissed off at the FM stations???

Re:What about FM?

[Professor_Quail]

Yes, channel 6 is 83.25 Mhz, channel 7 is 175.25 MHz...channels 2-6 are 'VHF-LO' and 7-13 is 'VHF-HI'

UHF starts at channel 14 @ 471.25 MHz...

See this page for more info.

Re:What about FM?

[jgabby]

The TV stations aren't pissed off at the FM stations because TV and FM don't have to share any spectrum, and FM is also a licensed and regulated service. There is a nearly 100 MHz break between channels 6 and 7 used for FM, Aircraft navigation and communication, and various other things.

This is different because it proposes using 'unused tv channels' to carry unlicensed signals. (Take note that this is also different from what is implied in the headline...this is not 'the space between TV channels,' it is full channels.)

Wardrobe Malfunction

[BenBenBen]

Won't someone think of the children?

It's not enough that the liberal media broadcast a *nipple* during a family show, now they have to fill the bits between stations with the internet, which Fox News told me is full of degrading pornography!.

I for one am angry about this political correctness gone mad, and would like the FCC or DoJ to take some of my rights away in response.

Good Move

[randall_burns]

Commercial broadcasters haven't really done much for the spectrum they were given. IMHO there should be substantial taxes on commercial use of spectrum. Theoretically, it would seem that Wi-Fi could deliver much more content than is now done with the spectrum the broadcasters are using. Perhaps we ought to look at completely eliminating the television spectrum and replacing it with Wi-Fi.

Re:This is great news!

[celeritas_2]

Finally no more taking the buggy to town to download the latest Mandrake!

The chairman should know

[Guy Innagorillasuit]

Broadcasters argue that this will cause interference on television stations but the FCC chairman says otherwise.

I'm sure with his broad experience and expertise in the field Chairman Powell should be trusted on this matter. Where do these broadcasters get off questioning the word of a man of such stature in the industry? /sarcasm

Sure but it goes both ways

[TechnoWeeniePas]

Sure there might be some leakage...and the channels may get some interfearance...but that would mean that the networking signal would be getting interfearance too. And hence they will move to a "cleaner" frequency to lessen the problem...so if there is a problem its a problem for both...and hence they will work together to avoid such problems.

What a relief!

[YodaToo]

I thought my spooky blonde daughter was communicating with poltergeists on channel 17.35. Turns out it was just WiFi.

Re:darn tootin' Re:A valid concern

[kandrewnet]

I am an ex-broadcast engineer and can guarantee that they aren't using the guard bands between TV stations - because there are no guard bands! Each channel butts up next to the last one.

Interference is avoided by not assigning two adjacent channels in the same market.

Television channels are 6Mhz wide. A Wi-Fi signal occupies 30Mhz so I'm guessing they will need 7 channels in a row with nothing broadcast (5 for the spectrum needed with 1 on each side to avoid interference).

Interference avoidance is nothing new to broadcasters. Aside from television channels assigned they also have had to deal with microwave live trucks, satellite transmissions, etc.

Andrew