Microsoft's Real Test For "White Spaces" Device: The Telecom Lobby
Microsoft, who's been unsuccessfully trying to convince the FCC to give it free access to unused wireless spectrum, is at it again.
MSFT is trying to prove to regulators that it can create Internet devices that use spectrum "white spaces" -- chunks of spectrum between the airspace currently used by TV channels -- without interfering with broadcast signals. Microsoft had a previous application rejected in August.
Microsoft and a handful of tech giants like Dell, Google, Intel, and Philips, hope they can convince the FCC to offer up let them use the spectrum on an "unlicensed" -- read: free -- basis. That means instead of having to bid on the spectrum in an auction, companies would be able to use the airwaves however they'd like. It'd be comparable to the way that wi-fi hotspots use unlicensed spectrum on the 2.4 GHz band.
But the companies' biggest obstacle won't be technical. Assuming it can convince the FCC that it won't interfere with spectrum owners' broadcast signals, it still has to convince regulators to give them unlicensed access. Standing directly in the way: Big Telco and its very effective lobbyists.
We're all for anything that will let companies offer cheaper, faster Internet access, no matter whose toes get stepped on. But not only do the wireless companies have clout, they'd have a point.
Next week, the FCC will auction off 1,099 spectrum licenses on the 700 MHz band, raising billions of dollars for the government. The prime "C" block of spectrum has a minimum bid of $4.6 billion. But why bid a penny if the FCC is going to offer up the adjacent white spaces -- where a rival could offer similar service -- for free?
See Also: Anyone Want Some Airwaves? The FCC Spectrum No One Wants
What Would Paul Allen Do With Spectrum? Who Knows!
MSFT is trying to prove to regulators that it can create Internet devices that use spectrum "white spaces" -- chunks of spectrum between the airspace currently used by TV channels -- without interfering with broadcast signals. Microsoft had a previous application rejected in August.
Microsoft and a handful of tech giants like Dell, Google, Intel, and Philips, hope they can convince the FCC to offer up let them use the spectrum on an "unlicensed" -- read: free -- basis. That means instead of having to bid on the spectrum in an auction, companies would be able to use the airwaves however they'd like. It'd be comparable to the way that wi-fi hotspots use unlicensed spectrum on the 2.4 GHz band.
But the companies' biggest obstacle won't be technical. Assuming it can convince the FCC that it won't interfere with spectrum owners' broadcast signals, it still has to convince regulators to give them unlicensed access. Standing directly in the way: Big Telco and its very effective lobbyists.
We're all for anything that will let companies offer cheaper, faster Internet access, no matter whose toes get stepped on. But not only do the wireless companies have clout, they'd have a point.
Next week, the FCC will auction off 1,099 spectrum licenses on the 700 MHz band, raising billions of dollars for the government. The prime "C" block of spectrum has a minimum bid of $4.6 billion. But why bid a penny if the FCC is going to offer up the adjacent white spaces -- where a rival could offer similar service -- for free?
See Also: Anyone Want Some Airwaves? The FCC Spectrum No One Wants
What Would Paul Allen Do With Spectrum? Who Knows!
Warhammer powerleveling
wow power leveling
Warhammer powerleveling
Warhammer powerlevel
Warhammer Gold
Aion powerleveling
Aion Gold
video editor for mac can merge multiple videos you like into one large file.
Cheap wOw Gold Look here! wow GoLd Store Welcome you! Look here to Buy WOw GOld, Cheap WOw golD, woW goLD Power Leveling,
buy Cheap WoW gold in here.
This would not be the case in the White Space spectrum (400+Mhz) if the FCC regulates the Unlicensed Radios power output.
The FCC will not play here until they have got their Big $$$ from the 700Mhz auction, then they will look into it.
Google wants to play in the White Space where they feel they can work with Service Providers to provide a serious Last Mile Broadband Service offering. This is what scares the big CellCO and RBOC, whose Broadband Wired and Wireless Services are at serious risk (of Bypass)if the FCC allows this spectrum to be used in an unlicensed mode-which I think they have a commitment to do.
Keep an eye on vendors making base stations. They are already developing silicon fo rthese 700 and 400Mhz systems using WiMAX Features. This is a real Killer network for the CellCO planned 4G nets.
Jim
On a variation of this theme, anyone have thoughts on the real quality of the 700mhz spectrum coming up for auction? Ive been hearing concern regarding Media Flo on channel 55 btwn 716 and 722 mhz negatively effecting cellular service quality on adjacent channels, potentially significantly.