One Step Closer To Opening Up The White-Space Spectrum
from the filling-in-the-cracks dept
Technology often does a pretty decent job of making the most of scarce or finite resources. But one such resource -- wireless spectrum -- remains a problem not just because it's finite, but because the regulatory environment around it often can't keep up with technology. For instance, in the spectrum used by analog TV broadcasts, the FCC mandates that there be a buffer of unused spectrum around the frequencies licensed to broadcasters, so their signals don't interfere with each other. But as technology has improved, those buffers have become less important, and given the desirable properties of this spectrum, there has been a lot of talk about making this "white space" available as unlicensed spectrum. The FCC wants to make sure that doing so won't interfere with licensed broadcasts, and to that end, Microsoft, Google and some other tech companies have delivered an MS-made device for testing to the FCC, which they say shows that the white space can be utilized without creating any interference. The prototype will undergo a few months of tests, and a decision on opening the white spaces could be made as early as July. With the importance of wireless technology, and in turn, wireless spectrum, increasing by the minute, it's imperative that regulatory bodies like the FCC change their policies to account for ever-improving technology and to make as much of the finite resource of spectrum available as possible. And when that technology makes it possible to open up more unlicensed spectrum -- as white-space advocates propose -- that's even better.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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It will all be "white space" soon
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WOW
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Re: WOW
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Advanced Spread Spectrum Technology
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muy interesante...
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The BBC have been covering the UK side of this for
In the UK, these buffer zones are already unlicenced, and have gained popular usage for radio microphone systems. However, with the sale of the analogue TV spectrum range approaching with the switch-over to digital TV, these unlincenced xones are at risk, threatening theatre productions.
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Of course...
The best example I can thing of is the FDA. If they did more long term and comprehensive studies, maybe their wouldn't be so many ambulance chasing attorneys out there. On the other hand, I imagine there is a point where you have to stop doing the research and see how the implementation works.
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White Spaces
There are anomolies. They occur and they are not always predictable. Even if they are, there is generally not databases available for say, a particular model of UVAC that emits a low level noise that interferes with say, low band cellular or one of the blocks in PCS.
The science is not complete here especially when you are dealing with highly localized interference issues.
There there is the power politics of the issue. In this instance, it is the NAB vs the updates such as microsoft and google and company.
Need a site expert.... there is a map i have not read...
gregory daly
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