Comments on: Bills would boost unlicensed Wi-Fi

Senators propose allowing broadband deployment on vacant TV channels, saying it would be cheap and easy to set up.

[SqlserverCode]

I agree

I agree, why not use a unused piece of the analog TV band

http://www.otherthingsnow.blogspot.com

[chuchucuhi]

it must be done

This would be a great first step to adding the proliferation of "broadband" amongst all people and close some of the internet have and have nots.

[jacomo]

Still Not sure what this means

What is meant by "Unused TV Spectrum" and "White Spaces". Does this apply to all the 700MHz spectrum the FCC has set aside to be freed up in Feb 2009 and is considering to auction in 2008?
Or is this just todays existing Spectrum presently sitting idle or not being used by Broadcasters? Big difference here that is not clear in this report.
It sounds like the latter in that they will be requiring manufacturers to develop radios to monitor for and adjust for interference with the broadcasters. This would not be needed when the Broadcasters move off the spectrum and free it up to Licensed players-Auction=big $$$$ for Feds
If this is the case the big national carriers looking for the big Licensed Spectrum being freed up in 2009 are trying to sideline (lobying the Senate) the smaller carriers/service providers wanting Unlicensed spectrum to compete with the big national companies coming after their local markets.
Here are the commenst from article that are nebulous:
"...the green light to develop products for unlicensed use on the broadband airwaves' "white spaces"--that is, empty, unused channels in the broadcast TV bands.

"...rewriting telecommunications law to free up only certain portions of the unused spectrum for wireless deployment. Sen Ted Stevens

"...appears to call for unlicensed wireless activities on any unused piece of the analog TV band." Senator George Allen sponsored act


Would like to hear something on what exactly this means.

Jacomo