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I'm dreaming of a white space Christmas
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After a momentous election, the Federal Communications Commission has ruled in favor of opening certain radio frequencies for public use. As you may recall, earlier this week I wrote that tech giants Google and Microsoft were lobbying in favor of using the so called "white space" because they believed it could usher in a WiFi revolution." Meanwhile, Broadway, Dolly Parton and Guns n' Roses were against it because it could compromise their wireless mics.
The FCC has stated that they've already tested the technology and devices to be used in this white space, and there doesn't appear to be evidence to support claims of interference. According to advocates, by using the white space frequencies, WiFi will be enabled to reach a wider audience by increasing the signal's strength beyond the normal fifty-foot parameter. "Let's hope this is not just WiFi on steroids but WiFi on amphetamines as well because it will be that fast," FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said.
The long-term hope is that this is the first step into reviving radio technology research and development, thus lowering prices and increasing competition for the consumer's benefit. "Making access cheaper and more available in more places is probably the most important thing we can do," Google Products President Larry Page said.
Also, the FCC approved the mergers of Verizon Wireless and Altell, as well as Sprint Nextel and Clearwire on Tuesday. So expect to see a flurry of new wireless products and packages to be available around Christmas and into 2009.
We'll see where all this leads - prototypes using the new radio chipsets are expected to be available for consumer use in about eighteen months, according to experts, but the implications could be interesting.
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