FCC Proposes Using Airwaves Between TV Stations May 13, 2004 Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The airwaves between television channels could become available for new wireless communications services under a proposal issued by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday. Despite objections by some television broadcasters, the FCC voted to propose using the buffer space between television frequencies as long as the new services do not cause interference for television broadcasters and viewers. The additional airwaves could help meet growing demand and encourage innovations like the Wi-Fi wireless Internet services that now connect consumers to the Web in airports, coffee shops and swimming pools. "It's only going to happen if it can happen without causing harmful interference to the broadcasters," said FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy. The wireless industry -- particularly technology companies like Intel Corp. -- are anxious to get access to more airwaves so they can offer more products for local area networks and high-speed Internet access. The spectrum at issue, frequencies below 900 megahertz, is a desirable segment because the signals there can easily penetrate walls, trees and other obstructions unlike at higher frequencies. Broadcasters, including major television networks like News Corp.'s Fox, are fearful that such uses could disrupt their signals. The FCC will gather comments on the proposal before determining whether to make the airwaves available. If the agency ultimately approves the plan, users would not have to seek FCC permission before using the airwaves but would have to stop use if there was harmful interference. http://www.americasnetwork.com/americasnetwork/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=95305 -- NYCwireless - http://www.nycwireless.net/ Un/Subscribe: http://lists.nycwireless.net/mailman/listinfo/nycwireless/ Archives: http://lists.nycwireless.net/pipermail/nycwireless/
