Wireless spectrum is so valuable that the FCC is opening up the cracks between broadcast TV channels-called white spaces by those in the know-for what it hopes will become a "super WiFi technology" capable of both leaping and penetrating the walls of tall buildings, running faster than anything out there today and covering larger spaces than more traditional, limited WiFi.
The rush to use this spectrum if officially expected to happen Sept. 23 when the agency votes on rules to resolve what have, at times, been rancorous issues regarding the spectrum. When approved, it will be available literally free to anyone who wants to put in the effort to use it. Among those already lining up is Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), which is testing the technology by turning its Redmond, Wash. headquarters campus into a "single wireless hotspot" according to Bloomberg.
Of course while the tech community-and communities in general that are eyeing the white space spectrum for muni-based needs-are ecstatic over the super WiFi proposal, and the FCC is encouraging that unbridled enthusiasm, not everyone is rushing to the party. The National Association of Broadcasters issued a statement that it "hopes that the agency adopts final ‘white spaces' rules that preserve the ability of local and network broadcasters to deliver interference-free television."
For more:
- see this article
- and this article
Related articles
Electric co-op tests TV white spaces for smart grid
TV group's attempt to obtain TV white spaces report denied
WiFi on steroids? That's the idea behind FCC white spaces proposal