Education Law

White spaces achieve "proof of concept"

BoardBuzz is excited to think that we're one step closer toward achieving free wireless in the U.S. That's right, the FCC's Office of Engineering Technology finally has released its report on white space prototypes. The report concludes:

"At this juncture, we believe that the burden of 'proof of concept' has been met. We are satisfied that spectrum sensing in combination with geo-location and database access techniques can be used to authorize equipment today under appropriate technical standards."

Of course, this has broadcasters in an uproar over fears of interference with television. However, tests have shown that interference can be eliminated. Just remember, these are the people who opposed satellite TV and challenged the FCC's authority to authorize the Direct Broadcast Satellite service.

In fairness, we'll note that white space prototypes don't work flawlessly yet. But they do show that spectrum sensing of TV signals can work with great accuracy, even if transmission currently causes problems. Moreover, white space technology will provide greater broadband penetration (can you say rural schools?), speed, and internet access to underserved communities. Not to mention the new opportunities that will be created for consumer applications, devices, and services. Just what our economy needs as unemployment continues to climb.

Kevin Martin, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, has come out publicly in support of using white spaces to deliver wireless internet services. Those white spaces, which exist between television broadcast frequencies in the 150 megahertz and 700 megahertz bands, are unlicensed and could therefore be used for free by anyone. Companies including Google Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Motorola Inc. have formed the Wireless Innovation Alliance and have been lobbying the FCC for the past year to make those airwaves available so that they could offer wireless broadband.

Sounds good to BoardBuzz. What do you think?

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on October 17, 2008 (boomark / email).