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Suggested Predictions
Ziibos (15)
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Today more than three-quarters of those radio airwaves, or "white space" spectrum, are completely unused. This vast public resource could offer a revolution in wireless services of all kinds, including universal wireless Internet.
The problem with using the spaces between TV channels is that the available spectrum varies around the country, so devices have to avoid interfering with broadcasters who paid for exclusive access to the frequencies. However it is a mixed of technical and market-force issue. The FCC will vote on the matter in the next few months, hopefully basing their decision on sound technical analysis rather than populist petitions or dancing telephones. Will FCC allow the unregulated use of white space?
Comments (6)
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So FCC has not allowed free airwaves yet.
The last thing we need is an unregulated free-for-all on the airwaves. We'd probably end up with radio-broadcasts, emergency services and warning systems drowned out by a pervasive digital noise.
Sort of on a side note, though: with the ways people acquire their information changing, is there really a need still to acquire airwaves for purposes such as broadcasting?