Comments on: Dolly Parton enters 'white space' debate

The country music artist joins broadcasters in their fight to delay the FCC vote on whether to open up so-called white space spectrum for unlicensed use.

[uhpl508]

I tend to think Google understands technology better than Dolly Parton or Neil Diamond.

[corntoole]

hmm, I hadn't thought about interference with wireless microphones. I mean that's pretty serious for live performers' bread and butter. But the FCC should vote to move this the next stage so people can test and iron out all the kinks out in the wild. I take the sacrifice of having to go back to corded mics for open, accessible data networks.

[fredmenace]

I'm glad some big names from the music industry have started to speak out, but they are VERY tardy - this issue has been known about for a long time within the sound-reinforcement industry. It could be a big problem not just for major concerts, but for churches, schools, clubs, company events, and all kinds of other sound-reinforcement applications large and small, for both spoken and musical presentations. It can affect wireless ear monitors, too. Going back to wires and loudspeaker monitors may adversely affect sound quality, performer mobility, their ability to hear (and thus give a good performance), bring back feedback, etc. It may force a lot of people who don't have the budget for it to buy new (old) equipment - all so a few big players in wireless networking can make more bucks without paying for the spectrum.

[sharkarm]

There has to be a way around this. Can't you have a private wireless network that uses bluetooth microphones? I just don't understand why we can't adapt existing wireless technology to accomodate the artists needs.

[archaicforest]

There are literally millions of microphones currently in use. The costs to just change all these at once would be too much for smaller venues to bear. If these places want to stay open, then Google and Microsoft shouldn't force their way into the spectrum. Even if it works the way they say it's supposed to, then those devices that scan for open channels may not always find any. If they are using too many channels, then one or the other won't work.

[Magallanes]

I don't understand, Google says :"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 FCC will soon decide whether to open this unused spectrum for general usage, and your voice matters -- a lot"

BUT, as far as i can understand, Google is saying the white space is unused (hence free for all) but they want to privatize it.

[drpierce]

Tough cookies. That's all, that's it. Wireless microphones? Seriously? Does anyone realize what this will do to the telecoms if they don't bend their model's in favor of the new technology? Doesn't anyone realize why they might care, and why them caring so much is such a good thing for the rest of us? Think deregulation of the airlines. Does anyone remember Pan Am? Does anyone remember how much flying used to cost before Southwest existed? The argument of wireless microphones is like arguing for a peanut farm going out of business because no one's gonna fly Pan Am anymore. Remember how the majority occupation 120 years ago was farming, and how it's not anymore, and that maybe that's okay for the prosperity of our country? Wireless microphones? Learn a little something, then come talk. 'Tards