http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/technology/internet/05spectrum.html?_r =1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin
F.C.C. Nods to New Use of Airwaves By MATT RICHTEL <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/r/matt_richt el/index.html?inline=nyt-per> Published: November 4, 2008 Over the objections of television broadcasters and other groups, federal regulators set aside a disputed slice of radio spectrum for public use on Tuesday, hoping it would lead to low-cost, high-speed Internet access and new wireless devices. The Federal Communications Commission <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/f/fed eral_communications_commission/index.html?inline=nyt-org> voted 5 to 0 to approve the new use for the unlicensed frequencies, known as white spaces. A coalition of powerful groups, including broadcasters, Broadway theater producers and sports franchises, hoped to derail or delay the decision. They have argued that their own transmissions - whether from television signals or from wireless microphones used in live music performances - could face interference from new devices that use the white spaces. But F.C.C. commissioners said in a public meeting on Tuesday that they were confident that enough testing had been done to assure them that interference was not a major risk. "It's fair to say few other engineering analyses at the F.C.C. have been as lengthy and open," said Michael J. Copps, a commissioner. Echoing the views of other commissioners, he added that the measure could lead to development of a new generation of devices that use the spectrum to provide Internet access. Commissioners said such access could be more reliable than Wi-Fi, which also uses unlicensed frequencies but does not reach as far. That view has been heralded by technology companies, like Google <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/google_inc/index. html?inline=nyt-org> , Hewlett-Packard <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/hewlett_packard_c orporation/index.html?inline=nyt-org> and Microsoft <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/microsoft_corpora tion/index.html?inline=nyt-org> , which will benefit from the spread of Internet access. "Some have called this Wi-Fi on steroids," Mr. Copps said. "I hope they're correct." The measure was championed by Kevin J. Martin <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/m/kevin_j_ma rtin/index.html?inline=nyt-per> , the F.C.C.'s chairman. Some commissioners voted for the measure but said they agreed with its opponents that the issue was pushed too quickly and that more time could have been taken for discussion or testing. "When the commission puts expediency ahead of an open process, it creates unnecessary resentment from parties that believe they were not given a fair hearing," said Jonathan S. Adelstein, a commissioner. He said he nevertheless voted for the measure because he felt further delay was unlikely to change the outcome. In addition to the broadcasters, the decision was opposed by the Broadway theater industry, which argued that new devices using the white spaces could interfere with transmissions from wireless microphones and among crew members. A coalition of Broadway producers and performers joined the broadcasters in arguing that the F.C.C. should conduct more tests. "We are deeply disappointed with the F.C.C. decision that could silence Broadway productions and those at other venues around the country," said Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the Broadway League <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/l/lea gue_of_american_theaters_and_producers/index.html?inline=nyt-org> , a trade group representing the New York theater industry. The discussion over how to handle white spaces emerged in light of an impending change in the way television signals were delivered. Starting in February, TV stations will be required to switch to digital from analog delivery. Since 2004, the F.C.C. has been studying whether the frequencies between television channels - the white spaces - could be used by other devices, particularly because digital signals are less prone to interference. The F.C.C. performed two sets of tests that showed some potential for disruption on frequencies used by broadcasters, live theater performances or others who rely on the same spectrum. But F.C.C. commissioners said they had confidence that interference could be mitigated through tight regulation of new devices. For devices to be automatically certified by the commission, they must include technology that determines whether they are in a location where the channels are protected for use by incumbent broadcasters; if they are, they must find some other channel to transmit on. Mr. Martin said he expected that devices using the spectrum could be on the market within a year to 18 months. These might include portable communications gadgets as well as in-home electronics that, for instance, could carry a video signal from a computer or recording device to a television. Technology companies applauded the F.C.C.'s decision. "The F.C.C. has taken a significant step to usher in a new era of technology allowing for major investments in innovative wireless broadband," Greg Brown, president and co-chief executive of Motorola <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/motorola_inc/inde x.html?inline=nyt-org> , said in a statement. In a blog post, Larry Page <http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/p/larry_page /index.html?inline=nyt-per> , Google's co-founder and president of products, said he believed engineers and entrepreneurs would be quick to build devices to take advantage of the white spaces. "We think that this spectrum will help put better and faster Internet connections in the hands of the public," he wrote. Kathy Keller Web Accessibility Administrator Communications/TPWD 512-389-4885 www.tpwd.state.tx.us Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Our Web site: http://www.RefreshAustin.org/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Refresh Austin" group. [ Posting ] To post to this group, send email to [email protected] Job-related postings should follow http://groups.google.com/group/Refresh-Austin/web/refresh-austins-job-posting-guidelines. We do not accept job posts from recruiters. [ Unsubscribe ] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] [ More Info ] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Refresh-Austin -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
