[IS4CWN] Curious about current events related to TV White Space band in the US?

Ben West ben at gowasabi.net
Sun Feb 17 20:12:17 UTC 2013


Hi All,

Sorry if this posting is too far off-topic for the list, but I've gotten
emails from both Daily Kos and Freepress soliciting comments to the FCC in
favor of opening up some more spectrum for unlicensed or quasi-licensed
used.  Specifically for the TV Whitespace (TVWS) band.

http://www.freepress.net/blog/2013/02/06/free-public-wi-fi-possible
http://campaigns.dailykos.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=322&tag=0216dailykos

These email campaigns appear to have been motivated by this recent story in
the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/tech-telecom-giants-take-sides-as-fcc-proposes-large-public-wifi-networks/2013/02/03/eb27d3e0-698b-11e2-ada3-d86a4806d5ee_story.html

Whatever furor engendered by the original article had lead to the WaPo
writer to publish a follow-up clarification, but naturally that follow-up
is behind a paywall:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/five-things-to-know-about-public-wifi/2013/02/05/de284af0-6fd8-11e2-ac36-3d8d9dcaa2e2_story.html

Indeed, unlicensed use is a perennial topic for US spectrum regulation (and
good that it remains as such), but I'm having some difficultly looking up
just *what recent action* the FCC took which has motivated WaPo, Freepress,
Daily Kos, and Slate to spin up their metaphorical presses.  Anyone one on
the list more informed about this?

Incidentally, this was the comment to the FCC which I submitted:

"The few instances of broadcast spectrum being opened up for unlicensed
use, e.g. with 802.11-style Wi-Fi, have all helped create new, niche
markets to exploit that spectrum.  Please allow this economic growth, often
benefiting small businesses, to continue!"

-- 
Ben West
http://gowasabi.net
ben at gowasabi.net
314-246-9434
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