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TV White Space & The Future of Wireless Broadband

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the something-to-think-about dept.

DeviceGuru writes "The unoccupied radio spectrum between broadcast TV channels may soon become a source of low-cost, ubiquitous broadband connectivity. Earlier this month, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission began Phase II testing of 'white space device' prototypes, to determine whether WSDs can operate without interfering with the other wireless devices commonly used in homes, offices, and public locations. A key advantage of white space wireless technology, compared to the combination of WiFI and WiMAX, is its TV-like ability to cover broad areas and penetrate walls and trees, using relatively low power levels."

2 of 119 comments (clear)

  1. Time Warner is going to just love this idea by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    With companies like Time Warner, who are both broadband providers and important content producers for broadcast TV, is there any doubt where the broadcast TV companies are going to come down on this "interference" issue?

    I can hear it now:

    Broadcast TV: Senator, this new scheme causes huge interference with our broadcast signal
    Senator: This wouldn't have anything to do with Time Warner giving you the broadcast rights to a bunch of their movies and TV shows for a song, would it?
    Broadcast TV: Don't be silly. We can answer any other questions you may have at the campaign fundraiser we're holding for you tonight.
    Senator: I think I'm beginning to appreciate your point of view.

    -Eric

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  2. Why are we running out? by cfulmer · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Isn't there just as much bandwidth between 3Ghz and 4Ghz as there is between 0Ghz and 1Ghz? Why do we carve out larger chunks at higher frequencies? It seems to me that the real answer is finer-grained transmitters and receivers.