FCC expected to recommend unlicensed white space spectrum use

The back-and-forth between mainstream carriers and external mega-corps may finally be coming to an end, with the almighty FCC expected to make a pivotal determination regarding the use of white space in short order. For those unaware, white space refers to the freed spectrum that will become available when broadcasters move completely to digital TV next February, and there's been a heated debate between carriers (who typically "fear" unwanted interference by unlicensed use) and tech companies like Google who see this as a great opportunity to bring wireless services to rural areas (for instance). According to a new report from Reuters, the FCC is expected to weigh in at any moment, and it'll "likely" recommend the unlicensed use of the spectrum. The advice will be based on reports generated from years of data collection, but we're all stuck waiting in tense anticipation until it's released. Anytime now, FCC...

[Via phonescoop]

[DiGiC @ Oct 12th 2008 5:08PM]

I hope they keep the white space, I call it snow channel, watch it for half hour (without volume obv) you see some right wierd things

[)ROFL( @ Oct 12th 2008 5:10PM]

You'll be fine, hang in there.

[brandon @ Oct 12th 2008 5:27PM]

They're here.......

[Alan Partridge @ Oct 12th 2008 5:38PM]

Better than FOX News

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Oct 12th 2008 5:46PM]

TV bores me, so I now play 'Meth HERO IV'!

[Samboini @ Oct 12th 2008 5:46PM]

You wouldn't be saying that if you'd seen White Noise!

[Tim @ Oct 12th 2008 8:22PM]

@ cubswillwin

Thank god you're still around! I was worried this might finally be the season you either do yourself in or switch to the white sox. Keep up the faith!

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Oct 12th 2008 9:25PM]

The Baseball season is the reason I started 'Meth Hero' :P

[Backlin @ Oct 12th 2008 10:13PM]

Digital TV does have its benefits.

[Peter @ Oct 12th 2008 5:20PM]

That'll mean that the US border towns will recieve Canadian interference to their Google WiFi services from the inferior Canadian television broadcasts. Stupid non-digital CBC!

[prime @ Oct 12th 2008 5:23PM]

Don't they already get interference?

[Rob Conway @ Oct 12th 2008 5:25PM]

I think that unlicensed use of "white space" would be great for smaller companies people in general to broadcast whatever data they would like. Security might be an issue, but i'm sure some encryption options would appear with development.

[Dave Skaggs @ Oct 12th 2008 5:43PM]

You and your capitalistic views...Don't you know our government no longer stands for that-private development.

[Information Central @ Oct 12th 2008 11:37PM]

Engadget really needs some editorial oversight. The "white space" referred to is NOT the spectrum that's going to be freed up by analog broadcasts. That doesn't even makes sense when you consider the name. The "white space" is the time between bursts of data being transmitted in the digital-TV spectrum. Here, this is from a different ENGADGET article on the same topic:

"Motorola's device is mostly based on its geolocation capabilities, which in addition to its "sensing" tech allow it to know where which spectrum is being used by digital TV in that particular area and avoid it proactively."

If there's enough gap in the spectrum to be used, it damn well ought to be used to deliver BETTER QUALITY. Those gaps should be filled with more image data for HD broadcasts.

If Google's so keen on more spectrum, it should've bought some in the recent auction.

But really, what's the point anymore, after the ATSC allowed INTERLACED video in our "new" digital-TV standard. A standard that allows 18 different picture formats yet fails to set any real requirement for calling something "HD".

[Charbax @ Oct 12th 2008 6:40PM]

This is fantastic news for the worldwide WiFi 2.0 revolution.

Basically, look forward to unlimited free wireless broadband worldwide.

This Obama presidency is going to be awesome!

In the next 4 years, we will see 10x more innovation then during the last 8 years.

Free wireless Youtube HD is going to replace AT&T, Verizon, other carriers and all the big TV networks. This is going to be fantastic for Democracy, fantastic for cultural development, fantastic for a much better working society..

[JerJer @ Oct 12th 2008 6:43PM]

success!

ooh no wait, the other one. fail.

[scott @ Oct 12th 2008 7:35PM]

you are a very wishful thinker.

[Doug @ Oct 12th 2008 7:46PM]

Innovation through higher regulation and taxes on corporations. I see how that works.

[Tohe @ Oct 14th 2008 3:34AM]

show me the money : )

[NoAndThen @ Oct 12th 2008 7:50PM]

Wireless youtube HD is going to replace phone services? amazing.

Outside of that, I agree with what you're saying, but no fucking way will it be free, unless google ads the shit out of the free tier wifi.

That said, Engadget is the last place on Earth for politics... welcome to the internet, take a look around.

[Charbax @ Oct 12th 2008 8:18PM]

It is going to be free. Everyone will install $20 fem2cell white space routers in their homes, using net neutrality, like FON.com everyone spreads the White Spaces signal to their whole nabourhoods. Basically the network will be free for anyone that contributes building it.

[Jon Doe. @ Oct 12th 2008 9:09PM]

Bush's lack of leadership and the economic depression we are heading into killed any type of programs Obama or McSame planned on doing. If you think Obama is going to really be able to implement a new reformed healthcare system in this economy think again. If you think McSame is going to be able to implement major tax cuts of any form without hurting us further think again. The only difference between the two is we can not afford now more then ever to drop more money into that black hole that is Iraq. AFAIC we should be pulling troops out today. Bush started this shit based on mythical WMD's. And today we are still paying for it and will be until we get the fuck out of their and star putting that damn money back into THIS country.

Final thought. 10 trillion in debt people. We DOUBLED the national debt in 8 years. That has NEVER been done in the history of this country. That is aprox, from what I read, about $38,000 of debt for every man, woman, and child in this country as of 2010. The fundis have successfully demolished this country by putting someone in office who cares about their agenda, but who's concept of running a nation centers on spin the wheel of ill informed decisions.

[Reader @ Oct 13th 2008 2:34AM]

I have to think this is satire. Either way, still fail.

[Jake @ Oct 12th 2008 7:10PM]

I know this isn't about the actual phone pictured but...

Damn that's ugly.

[DarkLight @ Oct 12th 2008 7:20PM]

It's not that ugly...

Well, the screen part IS that ugly, but I like the keyboard part... If it was just slimmer

[Doug @ Oct 12th 2008 7:45PM]

This would be HUGE for me if this were to happen. Currently it will become illegal to use my wireless microphones (in which I have about $10K invested) and in-ear-monitors on February 17, 2009. If unlicensed devices were allowed to operate in this spectrum, I could still use my equipment! I don't really want to replace it; it took years to acquire, and it would become totally worthless if things continue on their present path.

[Magallanes @ Oct 13th 2008 8:18AM]

Why do your gadget use such spectrum?, is FCC approved ?

[Dan @ Oct 15th 2008 5:05PM]

nice hairline

[Hdgmansur Union @ Oct 12th 2008 7:47PM]

I guess I don't totally understand...Tell me again why they are doing this?

[PEZ @ Oct 12th 2008 9:05PM]

MOTO A630! A classic underdog in the era of the beginning of the shadow of others how dare to... oh, whatever.

[JM Palacios @ Oct 14th 2008 9:30PM]

What's with the total ignoring of the other parties in the debate, wireless microphone companies and live sound reinforcement companies? That's a big deal as well.

Sound engineers are people, too. :-)