FCC begins testing mysterious "white space" wireless broadband device
By Eric Bangeman
Earlier this month, a consortium of companies including Microsoft, Intel,
Dell, and Google submitted a device to the Federal Communications Commission
for approval that would use the so-called "white space" in the analog
television spectrum for wireless Internet access. The FCC is testing the new
device and will have results ready in July, according to an attorney for the
companies, and the Commission could then adopt final rules for such devices
in the fall of this year.
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* Bill would open up TV "white space" for wireless Internet
The analog TV spectrum has been eyed hungrily by a number of parties,
including the FCC, wireless providers, and rural dial-up users longing for a
low-cost broadband solution. When the US completes its transition to digital
television broadcasts in February 2009, much of the spectrum between 54MHz
and 698MHz (channels 2 through 51) will become available. It's often
referred to as "beachfront property" because signals in that area of the
spectrum travel far and wide, and can easily be received indoors.
In the meantime, many people are hoping that the unused white space that
exists between the individual channels will be made available for use by
unlicensed devices like the prototype developed by the consortium. A bill
introduced last week by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA) would force the FCC to make a
decision about the white space, something that the Commission has already
indicated its intent to do.
Despite the recent movement towards increasing the amount of wireless
spectrum available for broadband access, it appears as though we will have
to wait until February 2009 for white-space devices to hit the market. Rep.
Inslee's bill sets a hard deadline of February 18, 2009, although it
mandates that the FCC make the spectrum available at the "earliest
technically feasible date." The coalition of companies backing the prototype
wireless device has said that they will not go on sale until February 2009.
Although little is known about the mysterious device, its implications are
far reaching. Should the tests go well, it could have the effect of
dramatically changing the broadband landscape in the US. Wireless networks
using the spectrum should be relatively easy to deploy, and would provide
residents of rural areas easy access to broadband while giving everyone else
a third alternative to DSL and cable.
David T. Hughes
Director, Corporate Communications
Roadstar Internet
604 South King Street -Suite 200
Leesburg, VA 20175
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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