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Senate Discusses Third Pipe Using 700MHz Spectrum

Posted by Zonk on from the stevens-confused-between-pipes-and-tubes dept.

Freebird writes "The US Senate Commerce Committee held hearings on the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction today, and much of the discussion centered around Frontline Wireless' proposal to create a commercial wireless broadband network that would also be used for public safety. 'Under Frontline's proposal, the FCC would auction off 10 MHz from the commercially available spectrum and offer that to the highest bidder. The winner would also be given (free) 12 MHz out of the 24 MHz currently allotted to public safety.' Some senators were skeptical, especially Ted Stevens of Alaska who had a 'long and testy interchange' with Frontline CEO James Barksdale. 'He seemed to be zeroing on criticisms that the Frontline proposal was simply a way for a new company to get a huge discount on a prime chunk of spectrum by playing the "public safety" card.'"

6 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. Fitting... by setirw · · Score: 3, Funny

    Some senators were skeptical, especially Ted Stevens of Alaska

    Creating a new pipe would nullify his "clogged tubes" argument against net neutrality!

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    This message printed on 100% post-consumer recycled electrons.
  2. Ted Stevens by deblau · · Score: 3, Funny

    Shhh don't tell him about the invisible tubes in the sky...

    --
    This post expresses my opinion, not that of my employer. And yes, IAAL.
  3. Ted, I don't get it. by PineHall · · Score: 4, Insightful

    'He seemed to be zeroing on criticisms that the Frontline proposal was simply a way for a new company to get a huge discount on a prime chunk of spectrum by playing the "public safety" card.'
    Frontline's auction proposal, if accepted, will set some parameters. The spectrum will still go to the highest bidder. That may not be Frontline.
  4. And Dogs Everywhere Rejoiced by BlueMikey · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wireless flea and tick control? Sweet.

  5. Health concerns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Before flaming this post based on the subject line, read this article and this one, which are about studies demonstrating the mechanism for learning disability caused by exposure to 700MHz RF fields.

    1. Re:Health concerns by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      Yes, it does work the same way; RF exposure outcome is dose-dependant. Though their main point (in the second article) was that the effect that can kill you (RF-induced heating) is different from the effect that they observe (neurons are more excitable).

      I would not worry too much, however, since the experimental conditions are quite different from those inside your brain. If you read the article, you will notice that even a thin 1 mm layer of liquid shields the cells rather nicely. (and your hippocampus is shielded by over 100 mm of blood, CSF, and bone. Also, 50 V/m RF strengths are virtually never encountered in real life; usually something on the order of mV/m tops.

      Of course, you never know if the effects are additive over a long period of time. If in doubt, use a tinfoil hat (remember to use thick metal foil, wrap as much of your body as you can, and actually ground it, or it's useless (use 1MOhm resistor in line or you might electrocute yourself).