FCC chairman wants to fill white spaces with broadband

Good news, folks -- Kevin Martin believes that more mobile broadband is good for this nation. And we're all about getting the WiFi to the people. Just as expected, the FCC chairman has voiced his support for using vacant airwaves from the looming 2009 digital TV transition to bring mobile broadband to more areas. According to Martin: "No one should ever underestimate the potential that new technologies and innovations may bring to society." His proposal was issued ahead of an official report asserting that potential interference with existing infrastructure could be avoided if "technical safeguards" were put in place to prevent it. Sounds good from here, now go 'head with your bad self, Mr. Martin.

[Image courtesy of TechLuver]

Read - Proposal
Read - Official interference report

[martijn @ Oct 16th 2008 5:01AM]

This is like Larry Page described previously. the wireless spectrum is like old analog tv, where you had to turn the button and saw a lot of noise on your screen, unused bandwidth. Why not fill that up with something useful.

[drocpsu @ Oct 16th 2008 7:17AM]

The problem is, the white space is NOT ununsed bandwidth. It's used (legally) by all kinds of wireless devices currently. in giving companies that ability to create devices that just try to use it to connect to the internet makes that all the more difficult. A friend of mine who has worked in live production/entertainment for most of his life said this about it:

"This is the same "white space" that professionals use for stage wireless systems, the wireless systems that protect Musician's hearing with Wireless in-ear monitors, the same "white space" you pastor's wireless mic sits on, The same space your child's play play or musical sits on. Wireless makes a safer stage with less trip hazards for children, it enables safety communications from FOH to stage, it can even control set movements, lighting cues ETC without the use of copper, thus saving resources and fuel because folks, copper is heavy! There is a LOT of it in a big production. Wireless has been a staple in professional audio for a LONG LONG time!"

If there is a surefire way to ensure that devices each use their own slice of the whitespace spectrum, that's fine, but the problem is that current devices have no such means and the more new devices that are made by companies like google, etc, the more that line is going to get blurred and the more the whitespace is going to be encroached upon. In the end, Google and other corporations really just want to monopolize and make a profit from something that's already being used by tons of people legally, and for free.

[Mile @ Oct 16th 2008 7:21AM]

>>
"This is the same "white space" that professionals use for stage wireless systems, the wireless systems that protect Musician's hearing with Wireless in-ear monitors, the same "white space" you pastor's wireless mic sits on, The same space your child's play play or musical sits on.
>>

Well, I've got news for you: Those wireless mics that those musicians have are just props. They're lip syncing.

And those kids shouldn't need a mic for their plays or musicals. Give it some volume so the back row can hear you, like we did in the old days. amirite?

[Shade @ Oct 16th 2008 11:51AM]

Damn straight. And If they could get COX as an ISP down here all my problems would be solved, I live in Jacksonville, FL, and ComCast has a monopoly, and they're taking advantage of it, the service sucks.

[Mile @ Oct 16th 2008 7:22AM]

And this is better than using that white space to broadcast pr0n.

Waitaminute...

[pavlindrom @ Oct 16th 2008 8:02AM]

p0rn is no way better! it's detrimental, while this is going to make US more of a superpower.......! you must be sick.

[Jerod Dunn @ Oct 16th 2008 9:57AM]

I agree with drocpsu. I work in the production industry. The use of whitespace for broadband would be a massive blow to anyone who has invested in production, wether they're talent, producer, manager, or crew. All new equipment will need to be purchased, and you can't find anything cheap. A good mic is close to $1500.

[LatteLand @ Oct 16th 2008 6:19PM]

The thing about the white space wireless mikes is that they aren't authorized to use those frequences for that purpose. But I'm sure that many people are using them for that purpose. The solution: a new generation of those that works properly and within the rules.

Here's an article at ars technica that explains what's going on:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081009-megachurch-pastor-criticizes-white-space-broadband-proposals.html

[Paul @ Oct 16th 2008 10:11AM]

Mile, I assume you're joking, but either you're Larry Page or you're really thick. Hands off our free space you moneygrabbing b*st*rds!

[michael @ Oct 17th 2008 4:33PM]

Now, if that clown would get on board stopping the media consolidation it might just look like he is doing his job.