Some time ago I learned about this project. It is basically a network of software defined radios listening to the RF spectrum and reporting back to a central database. I think it would be cool if every WISP could build one of these devices (cheap pi and RTL-SDR dongles) and place them on each of their tower sites. The project is bigger outside of the US so if the WISP industry could get a critical mass of sensors deployed, it could turn in to a real time spectrum use map and data tool. Matt Larsen has always pined about how the cellular carriers have been spectrum hoarding. A system like this could actually prove it. Imagine being able to map all the areas where there is absolutely nothing going on in the spectrum they hold! Being able to argue these points with real time data gathered over time could be huge. This might also allow organizations like WISPA to argue for more opportunist use of underutilized spectrum, especially in rural markets. The reality of the US spectrum policy has always been about what is needed in the top NFL cites. Remember that about 92% of the US population lives in only 8% of the land area.
Let's mobilize an effort to make better use of spectrum over the whole county. The FCC is already on their way to doing this, the databases are in place, what is lacking is the widespread sensor networks. https://electrosense.org/ Thank You, Brian Webster www.wirelessmapping.com www.Broadband-Mapping.com
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