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The 700mhz Spectrum Auction In Perspective
YIAAL writes "Writing in Popular Mechanics, Robert X. Cringely looks at the upcoming auction of the 700mbz spectrum, which is currently used for soon-to-be-defunct analog TV. 'Why are all these companies so excited? Because the 60 MHz of spectrum that's about to be auctioned is the last prime real estate for mobile communications that will be available in the U.S. for decades to come ... Some pundits (that would be me) think Google will bid to win its spectrum block, then will trade that block to Sprint/Nextel for some of that company's 2.5-GHz WiMAX licenses that are far better suited for data.' Plus, the prospect of offering unlicensed data service in the 'white space' between existing broadcast channels."
What are we talking about here? Millihertz? Millibitz (or whatever the 'z' in mbz means)?
I've been deeply skeptical all along and now the _how_ google wins it is in place with this quote "trade that block to Sprint/Nextel"
The _why_ this spectrum will be neither cheap nor open is in the quote "trade that block to Sprint/Nextel"
Sigh...
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I'm anxious to see what develops from this. The 700 Mhz band should have a fairly large range (greater than normal wi-fi), but less than a radio station for example, given the same power. I'm interested in what each of the bidders wants to use the band for, most likely for providing wireless internet. At first connection speed might be a problem though, but still acceptable for casual browsing and e-mail. maybe not fast enough for real-time youtube.
And what would happen if one of the bid winners licensed existing TV stations to broadcast over some specific frequency just as they already are? Sure, it's not innovative or revolutionary, but the broadcast TV model has already proven profitable, and there are a LOT of people in the US with out HD TV's/Converters. Seems like there could be a rather solid market out there to continue the status quo, at least for a while until the HD penetration numbers rise.
-Rick
"Most people in the U.S. wouldn't know they live in a tyrannical state if it walked up and grabbed their junk." - MyFirs
"He Who Dares Wins"
Google: Hey Sprint/Nextel, trade you my 700 Mhz for your 2.5Ghz! ... damn!
(awkward pause)
Sprint/Nextel: nah.
(awkward pause)
Google:
stuff |
They already have the coupon system ($40 off a tuner, and surely someone will make a simple one for less than that).
You're a few years too late in your complaint.
You can get 2 $40 coupons at this site
Yeah, it really sucked when they switched records from 78rpm to 33rpm - my grandfather had to go out and buy a whole new turntable and stylus, bastards.
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Why? Your proposal costs money to all manner of large corporations, whereas the present system means that people will be buying new TVs--hence giving the economy a boost, just like the gov't wants.
O'course, someone with a bit of wherewithal and some contacts could perhaps convince the various networks and production companies and whatnot to sponsor the distribution of said converter boxes--prominently labeled with the logo of the network or production company. Kinda like the Y2K business in duration, but a great advertising opportunity, and it'd be possible to leverage that into some sort of related business.
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A stately pleasure dome decree
This is already implemented. Not quite as extravagant as you propose, but there are coupons for up to 2 TV's per household that will cover close to the full cost of a digital tuner. People without cable or satellite have priority for some of the coupons. The only problem is the people who need the program are the ones who won't be tuned in enough to know that things are changing until all the coupons are gone. Maybe advertising on TV will help.
https://www.dtv2009.gov/
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Thanks for the answer! That makes a lot of sense, even if it does mean no Google TV ;)
-Rick
"Most people in the U.S. wouldn't know they live in a tyrannical state if it walked up and grabbed their junk." - MyFirs
Yeh it's all very well having cheap tuners, but they are useless if the are you live in doesn't have dull coverage until after the switchover (certain areas of the UK).
America, Home of the Brave.
If you don't have cable or satellite service and you're not willing to spring for a new tuner, than TV isn't that important to you and you won't miss it.
The article is just plain wrong when it states that the 2.5GHz band is superior for data, it is not. Throughput is primarily dependent on bandwidth, so 20MHz at in the 700MHz spectrum will effectively carry the same amount of data as 20MHz in the 2500MHz spectrum. The big difference is that Google can provide coverage in rural/suburban areas that have relatively low demand for throughput with far fewer sites. In urban areas Google can pack the sites just as closely together and will still be better off then they would with the 2.5GHz spectrum because they won't have to install in-building repeaters to ensure good coverage inside many of the buildings that would otherwise require such a system.
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lame joke I know.
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Except they didn't intentionally break the 78 setting on your grandpas record player.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
You will need to get a new TiVO if you want to use it to change the channel or record a channel not currently being watched.
The converter box will be the new 'channel changer'
If TiVO is really customer service oriented, they will let you pass the subscription to a new TiVO box.
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I doubt very much that they will sell it to Sprint/Nextel. They have just laid off 4,000 employees and are Closing 125 of thier stores nationwide. Sprint just isnt making any money at the moment, and thier churn far exceeds that of the other top 5 Wireless telcos.
Sprint will be focusing on revitalising its marketing and trying to win customers back, rather than bank money in a high risk venture that wont even pay off for them for years to come.
Just my 2 cents.
Google: I will trade you some of my 700 MHz for your 2.5 GHz Sprint: NO WAI! 2.5 GHz is ultra rare! Google: K! I throw in my lvl 75 Pikachu Sprint: DONE! Score. LOL You suck at this? Google: WAT U MEAN? Sprint: I would have traded for your LV 50 Bulbasaurus and Pikachu! Sprint: Who carez about MEGAHURTZ! LOL! U NEWB! Google: :(
Also keep in mind that Sprint has up to 90 MHz of bandwidth at 2.5 GHz. Arguments about 2.5GHz being better-suited to data often implicitly rely on that point.
I'm more concerned about bot flies eating my brain.
I bet this is wrong, but I just thought about the YouTube purchase last year.
YouTube + Old TV's + UHF Channels = user generated broadcasts to the masses with AdSense video units playing in between.
I would actually like to hear some informed ideas about what this will actually likely be used for. I'm sure it's really cool...I'm just not sure exactly how.
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Oops, I typed that at the end of a long day. UK is about the only non-typo in there. ;-)
America, Home of the Brave.
How dare they assume that they can abuse me and FREELY use my private property to transmit their signals with impunity.
The more I read about the health problems created by RF signals, the deeper my concern becomes. Nowhere have I seen ANYTHING that addresses these private companies power output plans. For all I know, it can be unrestricted. I am thinking that a million watts of RF power coursing through the bodies of your children 24 hours a day is not a good thing. Especially if it originates from private companies who are only interested in pursuing profit - to heii with the health of people.