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FCC Proceeds Cautiously With White Space Testing
Microsoft admits that problems with their devices were due to bad engineering

The Wireless Innovation Alliance continues to push hard for the use of unlicensed “white space” spectrum to deliver inexpensive Internet services. Google has been particularly vocal in emphasizing the importance of beginning to use this spectrum. But a major hang-up has been the fact that prototypes of white space devices tested by the FCC have failed more than once.

The failed devices came from Microsoft but one of the contributing designers on the project has recently admitted that his lack of engineering skills could’ve been the problem. The issue doesn’t appear to be the idea but rather the development of the hardware and therefore it’s feasible that other companies could construct white space devices that would work appropriately.

In fact, Microsoft is really optimistic about the other devices that the FCC has tested and believes that it’s only a matter of time before FCC approval is given on this issue. The FCC is indeed moving forward with additional testing in the field. However, they are hesitant to make any quick decisions due not only to the previous failures of the devices but also to controversy coming from the National Association of Broadcasters and the wireless carriers who would find this to be a competitive threat.

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Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

1 recommendation

Mr Matt

Member

More crapware from Microsoft

I guess Microsoft wants to keep up the tradition. Their software is created by foreign nationals and begins as crapware. It is not reliable until their customers help them identify the bugs. Microsoft is keeping up the tradition by assigning the whitespace project to an incompetent. If Microsoft assigns Bozo the Clown to the project are they really sincere in their desire to use whitespace for networking.
firewire9999
join:2004-07-11
Livonia, MI

firewire9999

Member

Re: More crapware from Microsoft

Yes We Have Another Happy Microsoft Customer I See.

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3 to Mr Matt

Premium Member

to Mr Matt
said by Mr Matt:

I guess Microsoft wants to keep up the tradition. Their software is created by foreign nationals and begins as crapware. It is not reliable until their customers help them identify the bugs. Microsoft is keeping up the tradition by assigning the whitespace project to an incompetent. If Microsoft assigns Bozo the Clown to the project are they really sincere in their desire to use whitespace for networking.
Wow, you're sooo cool! Where do I join the Microsoft Haterz Club? I want to be just like you!

vpoko
Premium Member
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA

vpoko to Mr Matt

Premium Member

to Mr Matt
said by Mr Matt:

Their software is created by foreign nationals
I don't know where to begin.

Vig
Thread-safe since 1997
Premium Member
join:2004-03-23
La Jolla, CA

Vig

Premium Member

wrong headline

The headline is "FCC Proceeds Cautiously With White Space Testing" but the links have to do with Microsoft and Google and the past news items each has generated related to white space testing. In fact, only the second to last sentence mentions anything to do with the FCC, and it's basically a rephrasing of the headline with no link or additional data. What's this news item really supposed to be about?

n2jtx
join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY

n2jtx

Member

What I Said

Back when the problems first surfaced last year I pointed out the idea that it was a bad design. Of course all the "I want broadband at any cost" people, who are also BPL proponents, jumped down my throat. Nice to hear that one of the engineers on the project now admits what I already suspected.