First 'white space' network hits Claudville, Virginia
By Donald Melanson 
posted Oct 21st 2009 3:41PM
posted Oct 21st 2009 3:41PM
Well, this one's been years in the making (literally), but it looks like the very first white space network using those newly freed up broadcast TV channels has now been lit up in Claudville, Virginia (population 916), which should just be the first of plenty more rural communities to come. As you might expect, the network was no small undertaking even considering the size of the town, and involved an "experimental license" from the FCC, network infrastructure from Spectrum Bridge, and a slew of equipment that Dell, Microsoft and the TDF Foundation contributed to the local school and computer center. No word on anything like actual speeds just yet, but we're guessing the Claudville residents will be plenty pleased regardless, as they've been stuck with nothing more than dial-up or expensive satellite internet until now.
fcc is putting claudville on the map. next stop ogdenville and north-haver brook
as a Ukrainian I never heard of Claudville but I did hear of ogdenville through simpsons refrences
That's pretty much the joke. Nobody in the U.S. has heard of Claudville either, except people from Claudville.
Yea I live and Virginia.. and I had to Google Map that place.
BFE for real
bahaha mee too @ Slick
monorail!
"Were you sent here by the devil?"
No, good sir, I'm on the level!
RIP Lyle Lanley
"north-haver brook"
Heh heh... mule.
MONO....D'OH!!!
boy the really pick somewhere out there.
I heard they wanted to test this new technology in a controlled area... in case it turns everyone into flesh-eating zombies. That way, "cleansing" the area will be easier - and less media coverage. The Government also has all the GPS satellites prepared to re-route potential visitors away from the entire area (to continue The Simpsons reference).
With the hills in that area this looks like a worst-case location to confirm radio comms! Gack! If they work there, they'll work anywhere!
@David Russell. That town only exist on paper. It's close enough to NC that the zombies could visit.
Rural towns with limited access is the place this technology will benefit the most.
I'm happy for Claudville! Hopefully more small towns get connected.
Yeah, before you know it towns like these will finally get their second Starbucks.
And it'll be across the street!
Anyone read what freq. in the 700mHz they are using? Working for an events production house and using wireless mics everyday raises concerns.
That concern was brought up and addressed a long time ago. I don't really remember what they said about it but I was bored and wanted to make a comment.
Also, can we get a Monorail chant going?
In two years.
only about 2 hours away from where i live=]
hope it goes well! when im not in college, im one of those people stuck wit dial-up or expensive satellite..
What town do you live in Virginia?
Va tech or Wake forest?
http://www.xkcd.com/598/
nah i actually go to odu.
My town is like the same size, actually it might be smaller.
no way. tell us more!
Yes, please do!
Story time!
What more would you like to know?
@CharlieX
I laughed and laughed and laughed, somehow you got the "timing" right
and it feels so fresh compared to a stock "cool story hansel"
you deserve the full spelling for that one.
I live in a village, so you can sack off.
The FCC did not put claudville on the map, http://www.spectrumbridge.com did.
So are they not Claud computing?
I don't know whether I should love you or hate you.
Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you.
Come to the DarkSide young Cody!
Engadget's certainly on board, they created a tag especially for those 916 residents :p
http://www.engadget.com/tag/claudville/
-jp
And now we'll wait 2 years until the residents of Claudville realize what the interwebs are
Sad thing about this story is that they will still use this to get on AOL
Sorry to go off topic a bit but I have to laugh that they need a special license from the FCC for something that likely has a very modest range when there is a radio station here in Boston broadcasting on 87.7 (Channel six audio) for the last month that can be heard weakly more than thirty miles outside of town and another more powerful station doing the same in NY, NY under the cover of a television station license, despite orders to end all analog transmissions.
Apparently to operate legally you have to jump through all the hoops but if your a pirate no one bothers with you.
I have no beef at all with home brew pirates, these are full blown commercial stations with paid staff that sound no different from all the rest.
Calling the FCC now, do they give out rewards?
Gruzes Store, Ararat and Fancy Gap can psuk it!
RSS subscriptions to "Tractor News" just went up by 916.
You can now meet hot girl from Claudville!
Man would i hate to live in Claudville.
I bet the sky is nice at night though, they're able to see the stars like no one else can.
Where the hell do you live, Coruscant?
Claudville is about 15 minutes from Mount Airy, NC. Andy Griffith's hometown. So this is Big Andy it's Big!