FCC Approves Unlicensed Use of White-Space Spectrum

sidesh0w was one of a number of readers to alert us to the FCC's unanimous decision approving unlicensed devices to use the white spaces of the spectrum unused by television broadcasters, provided they take certain precautions not to interfere with licensed users. "Denying a tremendous last-minute lobbying effort by broadcasters, the vote on white space devices went ahead as planned today after a several-hour delay at FCC headquarters. When the vote came, though, it was unanimous. For the Democrats on the Commission, the devices are appealing because they offer a potential new avenue for broadband services, while the Republicans are pleased for the same reasons, but love the fact that this is a deregulatory order that focuses on less regulation and more competition."

Comments

What about the Ghosts?

[Mysteerie]

You know the ghost that uses the white space to communicate on the tv and recorders? Won't they get pissed now that thier channels are getting clogged? Sigh... don't mind me... stupid stupid corny joke... lala

THEY WILL REGRET THIS!

[mrSteveBallmer]

Watch the Linux and Mac freaks fill up the entire thing with porn! http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com/

Now hold on a minute!

[Radical Moderate]

Republicans AND Democrats are happy about this? We are so screwed.

Re:Let the lawsuits begin....

[Starayo]

I asked a NAB employee about that, and he said, I quote:

"The National Australia Bank has no comment on this issue."

The plot thickens.

Visible Light

[Tubal-Cain]

Out of curiosity, has there ever been an attempt to license in the visible portion of the spectrum?

Re:Great! More interference

[Tubal-Cain]

Time to fire up my Tesla Coil!

Re:Please don't confuse ...

[afidel]

An interesting idea I saw posted a couple days ago regarding the Neocons machine and this election:

I keep getting a mental image of McCain on election night, looking broken, then walking off stage, shutting himself alone in a room, and out comes an enormous creepy grin. He immediately picks up a phone, dials a number, and says, "Hello, Karl? Yeah, how do you like your permanent majority now? Payback's a biatch, fat boy," then hangs up.