In Florida, a Cell Phone Network With No Need For a Spectrum License

holy_calamity writes "Technology Review reports on a cell phone network in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, like no other. Instead of paying to reserve a section of wireless spectrum its owner, xG Technology, uses cognitive radios that steer signals through the unlicensed 900MHz band more normally used by cordless phones and baby monitors. The radios in both handset and base station scan for gaps left by other devices in that band and make dynamic connections that constantly hop frequencies to ensure a good link. The network is designed to show off the tech, which the company says could be used in conventional cellphones to access extra spectrum or white spaces devices."

Comments

It isn't going to work

[Anonymous Coward]

It's never going to work in the long term. I work for a wireless ISP, and our 900 mhz band is getting killed by utility/electriticy companies rolling out things like smart electric meters that exist in every home and do the same thing: hunt for the least noisy band and transmit. We've seen noise floors in the -40s straight across the spectrum on our worse days. We can't beat the noise more than a couple of miles from a cell tower using fixed, directional antennas. What makes them think they can beat it with tiny, handheld devices?

Re:It isn't going to work

[maxume]

They changed the name of a pref from 'Use Classic' to 'Dynamic Discussion', defaulted it to 'yes' and made it so that it can only be accessed (as far as I have found) from the prefs that pop up with the button on the bottom of the comments pages.

Re:It isn't going to work

[Pharmboy]

Thank you. Finally restored the old, crappy, but understood format. I wish Slashdot would spend less time writing code, and more time reading and editing articles if they really want to improve the site. I'm just hanging by a thread as it is.

Validity Questioned

[philipborlin]

This article questions the validity of the company.