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FCC To Test Opening White Spaces Up To Public

Posted by samzenpus on from the space-rush dept.

GovTechGuy writes "The FCC will begin a test on Monday that will give the public access to 'white spaces,' the unused spectrum between TV and radio stations. The Commission is in the process of opening up the airwaves for public use; the last release of unlicensed airwaves eventually spawned a number of innovations such as WiFi, cordless phones and baby monitors. Officials hope this move will lead to better WiFi technology that can cover up to 50 miles."

10 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. First Post by Prince+Vegeta+SSJ4 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    from my un-hackable 50mi wi-fi connection

  2. Clarification by Saishuuheiki · · Score: 4, Informative

    I think summary need to be clarified.

    The FCC is beginning a test Monday that will give public access to a database to be used to identify frequency bands available. This database will be used to determine what frequencies are available when the 'white spaces' go public.

  3. Second Post by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Second post. From your hackable 50mi wi-fi connection.

    1. Re:Second Post by davester666 · · Score: 2

      WouId have had 3rd post, but everybody within 50 miles seems to be using this 'unhackable' connection... It's taken forever to post this.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
  4. Re:50km? by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 2

    I'd love to be able to reach my home connection from that distance, but do we really want 10,000 "linksys" APs showing up when doing a scan?

    The article is talking about something more like wimax rather than personal access points.

    --
    When information is power, privacy is freedom.
  5. Re:How Racist by Trepidity · · Score: 2

    actually the opposite---the FCC is considering allowing more color into the heretofore reserved 'white spaces'

    --
    10 PRINT CHR$(205.5+RND(1)); : GOTO 10
  6. OTA TV reception impact? by GrumpyOldMan · · Score: 2

    I'm a cord-cutter & I'm worried about the impact this will have on my free TV reception.

    My understanding is that these devices are supposed to phone home, and find an "unused" UHF TV channel, so that they don't interfere with local TV broadcasts. But what is the definition of "unused" ? Will I still be able to pick up TV stations from 60 miles away, or will they be drowned out by the neighbors wireless gadgets? How about low-power (college / community) stations?

    And then there are hacked gadgets (like people do now to enable wifi channel 14) and broken gadgets to worry about.

  7. Re:ham radios rejoice! by X0563511 · · Score: 2

    Yea, if only it was that easy. You have to try and resolve it yourself... and good luck dealing with the soccer moms. You might have the law on your side, but it takes a long time to go about it that way.

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  8. Re:ham radios rejoice! by X0563511 · · Score: 2

    Eh? What are you on about? Go read the link. Family buys cheap baby monitor that spews all over the spectrum. HAM tries to help. Soccer mom freaks out (even to the point of trying to file a criminal complaint). Typical story, from what I understand.

    --
    For large sets, this will be our guide even unto death, for the LORD will work for each type of data it is applied to...
  9. Re:Moonloght by pearl298 · · Score: 2

    let me shed some moonlight on the subject

    The site is set up so moonlight does not work, ONLY Genuine "Silverlight"!!