Why We Need Unlicensed White-Space Broadband Spectrum

pgoldtho writes "PC Mag has a story about why the 'white-space' spectrum that will be freed when TV broadcasts switch to digital should be available for unlicensed use. This would allow it to be used to deliver broadband connectivity in rural areas and create a 'third pipe' alternative to the cable/telco duopoly. The FCC is scheduled to vote on this November 4th. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has filed an emergency appeal to block this vote. If the NAB succeeds, the issue will be kicked into next year. Which would mean a new FCC, Congress, and Administration."

Comments

Re:Need clarification

[theaveng]

>>>mostly unsubstantiated bullshiting

FALSE. The National Association of Broadcasters has done testing and determined that any Whitespace device within approximately 100 feet will block any TV station 25 miles away, even if the WSD is broadcasting on an adjacent channel (for example channel 16 next to WPHL17). Any WSD within 600 feet will block any TV station 50 miles away. These are the testing results that the NAB has submitted to the FCC.

Furthermore the Cable Television Coalition has submitted testing showing that any WSD within 50 feet of their service will not block the channel, but definitely will cause interference with analog or digital reception. In other words if you're trying to watch Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi Channel, and your kid sister turns on her WS-enabled Ipod, the picture will degrade into a bunch of noise and/or macroblocking.

Google and Microsoft keep insisting this won't happen because, of course, they stand to make millions of dollars off the sale of WSDs. They have $$$ dancing in front of their eyes.

Personally I'm torn; I'm not sure which greed-mongering corporation to believe, but I do know I won't be happy to see my television plummet from 15 to just 3 channels. I've invested a LOT of money upgrading from analog-to-digital television, and I have no desire to see that ~$300 wasted.

Re:Damn Reds.

[thePig]

Not quite.
Money drives the invisible hand, and that invisible hand does a better job of improving society than any philanthropy.