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Broadcasters Attack 'White Space' Broadband
Battle continues over unlicensed service

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A six-partner coalition (including Microsoft, Google and Dell) wants to use the so-called "white space" spectrum -- partially freed by the migration to digital television -- to offer consumers cheap broadband via the airwaves. The problem is there's an immense potential for interference with existing systems, and available spectrum could be too limited (particularly in urban markets) to really compete with incumbent offerings.

The National Association of Broadcasters, concerned about such interference, has launched a new ad campaign attacking the idea (pdf). The Association also issued a somewhat snarky statement

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on their opposition:
quote:
"While our friends at Intel, Google and Microsoft may find system errors, computer glitches and dropped calls tolerable, broadcasters do not," said NAB Chairman Alan Frank, president of Post-Newsweek Stations, in a statement. Broadcasters said they aren't against new technology and support alternative means of providing broadband service in underserved rural areas.
The White Space Coalition recently delivered prototypes to the FCC which the commission deemed unfriendly to nearby transmissions. Microsoft disputed the agency's findings, arguing one of the prototypes was broken -- and that they have a prototype that will detect and avoid nearby wireless signals.

A recent study (pdf) by the coalition argued that by 2009, every one of the nation's 210 TV markets will have 15 to 40 unassigned, vacant and unused channels. They insist such unused white space "could deliver Internet access to every American household for as little as $10 a month, by some estimates."

Update: White Space Coalition member Free Press offers a retort to the broadcast industry.
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FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

White Space Coalition blowing usual smoke

There may or may not be interference to the broadcast stations in this plan. And based on past experience, I'll assume there will be interference no matter what the coalition says. But the whole justification for using this swath of spectrum is bogus. Here is the claim:
They insist such unused white space "could deliver Internet access to every American household for as little as $10 a month, by some estimates".
Now if you believe Microsoft and Dell can deliver $10 broadband to the masses if they get what they want, then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you in Brooklyn.

Mactron
el Camino Real
Premium Member
join:2001-12-16
PRK

Mactron

Premium Member

Re: White Space Coalition blowing usual smoke

The NAB is well recognized as a Broadcast industry protectionist anti consumer organization. As such just about anything they say can be considered the opposite of the true story.
said by FFH5:

Now if you believe Microsoft and Dell can deliver $10 broadband to the masses if they get what they want, then I have a bridge I'd like to sell you in Brooklyn.
Oh ya, and I totally believe these guys too.

The truth lays somewhere in the middle as usual.

ieolus
Support The Clecs
join:2001-06-19
Danbury, CT

ieolus to FFH5

Member

to FFH5
What is the basis for that statement? Broadband in the U.S. is only so expensive right now because of the last-mile costs. What would happen if those costs go away, $10/month broadband perhaps?
crashnburn4u
join:2005-08-04
Houston, TX

crashnburn4u

Member

Re: White Space Coalition blowing usual smoke

said by ieolus:

What is the basis for that statement? Broadband in the U.S. is only so expensive right now because of the last-mile costs. What would happen if those costs go away, $10/month broadband perhaps?
I am not going to agree or disagree with this but I will ask, who has validated this?

Broadband in India is available in tiered fashion anywhere from 200-250 Rs. (capped / limited plan) to 1500 Rs. (unlimited). Whats funny is the amount of time most people use the internet lets them use the capped limited data download plan.
alalper
Premium Member
join:2000-08-20
Philadelphia, PA

alalper to FFH5

Premium Member

to FFH5
Can I buy your bridge? Please.

idjk
@sprintlink.net

idjk

Anon

As little as $10 a month

Yea and 'PAY' tv has no commercials
tlcbob
join:2001-07-11
Harrisburg, PA

tlcbob

Member

NAB Chairman

Love his claims that some industries tolerate buggy systems. This guy publically stated what many of us have become numb towards. We put up with crappy O/S releases, crappy router firmware and tech support that can speak english - but not COMPREHEND english. I nominate him for FCC chief.

MrMoody
Free range slave
Premium Member
join:2002-09-03
Smithfield, NC

MrMoody

Premium Member

Interference

quote:
they have a prototype that will detect and avoid nearby wireless signals.
What about distant signals? No. In this case the devil is right.
Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Canonsburg, PA

Sammer

Member

Re: Interference

said by MrMoody:

quote:
they have a prototype that will detect and avoid nearby wireless signals.
What about distant signals? No. In this case the devil is right.
That's the problem, if they detect signals low enough to actually prevent interference they simply won't work in metropolitan areas that are close to another area that has TV stations. Consider also that many areas have low power stations and translators that will be adversely effected.

K3SGM
- -... ...- -
Premium Member
join:2006-01-17
Columbia, PA

1 edit

K3SGM to MrMoody

Premium Member

to MrMoody
I don't get the above picture example.

Left side 'crystal Clear' looks like Off-Air.

Right side 'interference' looks like digital cable.

Whats the argument???

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

n2jtx

Member

It Could!!

quote:
...unused white space "could deliver Internet access to every American household for as little as $10 a month, by some estimates."
Maybe it could but I seriously doubt they will ever sell access for as little as $10/month. That is just blowing smoke up our a$$es to try and get us to rally behind them.
Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Canonsburg, PA

Sammer

Member

Re: It Could!!

I estimate that fiber to the home could bring Internet access for as little as $10/month. I expect to see it about the same time nuclear power is "too cheap to meter".