In one of your communications courses you should have studied the electromagnetic spectrum as a means for how we enjoy "free" radio and television over the airwaves. Perhaps, you've learned of the digital changeover that's scheduled for February 2009. Once television broadasters move their signals from the spectrum, there's going to be some free space up for grabs.
What to do what to do. Certainly, there's some money to be made somewhere by media companies, right?
Well, Google and various others have started a Free the Airwaves campaign. They are requesting the FCC allow use of these new, open "white spaces". Google argues it will allow more room for "wireless" devices to operate and help provide WiFi-type services for more people. Check out their YouTube channel for more background on the issue.
Sounds great, but one problem...some broadcasters don't see it Google's way, and they certainly have friends over at the FCC. To further the debate, Google co-founder Larry Page has even gone so far as to accuse broadcasters of "rigging" tests on use of the airwaves for mobile devices.
You weigh in. As complicated and scientific as this debate is, check out the links above and leave your thoughts below. This will certainly impact the future of wireless communications. Do you agree with the Free the Airwaves campaign? Would you like to see the white spaces used for more wireless commerce? Or, do you agree with the broadcasters that Google's plan doesn't work?
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5 comments:
Wow, this post is REALLY lonely. It needs some love. No one seems to care about the future of their wireless connections. I know it isn't about FaceBook or retouching celebrities, but geeeeeezzzzzz help a blogger out here!
FREE THE AIR WAVES!!!
What should we do with all that free space the digital changeover will create. Lets use it. We might as well use this airspace for the good of the internet loving population. Free Wi-Fi through out the entire U.S is a program already underway because of this freed up air space. Googles plan will work... it is logical to use something for the good of the people rather than waste something not being put to good use.
It would seem that the FCC and other government regulators would put this space to good use wouldn't it? Well, not to burst anyone's bubble, but there is most probably no chance of any “freeing up” of the airwaves, and for the following reason: money. This part of the discussion could get extremely technical, but to prevent permanent facial contortion, I’ll keep it simple. The switch to digital TV broadcast will free a large portion of the ultra-high frequency range used for channels 52 thru 69. The exact part of the electromagnetic spectrum is 698 MHz to 806 MHz. In the bill that mandates the switch, channels 52 thru 59 must be occupied by government functions such as emergency services, leaving 706 MHz thru 806 MHz up for auction. Between 2002 and 2003, the FCC auctioned the frequencies between 710 MHz and 746 MHz for $145,467,590. In 2008, the FCC auctioned off most of the rest of the remaining bandwidth. It sold for a total of $18,957,582,150. Needless to say, any new technology that comes out of the newly available airwaves will certainly not be free.
Wow, Aaron! Thanks for the figures!
I think what google and other companies are trying to do by freeing the airways is a great idea. I know during the summer I coach cheerleading in places that I can't even use my credit card at and needless to say the internet is scarce in these areas. It would make my job and my free time so much better to have the free use of these white space or WIFI on steroids. Also since they were talking about it helping out anything that uses wireless like..... CELL PHONES, That would be amazing to have better service then more people than at&t costumers could have "fewer dropped calls". I think that having free internet access anywhere could possibly be the best thing since sliced bread.
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