Lov_Dog
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Here it comes: 'Super WiFi'
Todd Bishop
Microsoft, Google and other tech companies won a key victory in Washington, D.C., today as the Federal Communications Commission moved to open up vacant spectrum between television channels for unlicensed use by wireless devices -- a development expected to lead to a powerful new form of wireless Internet access.
The decision was closely watched in the tech community for its potential to create entirely new types applications and businesses. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski hit on that theme in his prepared remarks (PDF), saying that the commission's decision would open "a new platform for American innovation."
"We know from experience that unlicensed spectrum can trigger unexpected but hugely beneficial innovation. For example, years ago, there was a band of low-quality spectrum that was lying fallow," he said. "Nobody could figure out what to do with this so-called 'junk band,' so the FCC decided to free it up as unlicensed spectrum. The result was a wave of new technologies – baby monitors, cordless phones, and eventually a real game changer: Wi-Fi. Today, Wi-Fi is a multi-billion industry and an essential part of the mobile ecosystem."
White spaces Internet is often called “wifi on steroids” -- working in much the same way as wifi but with a potential range of multiple miles, requiring fewer access points and offering the ability to better penetrate obstructions such as walls. Microsoft has been conducting extensive tests of the technology on its campus.
So when will we start to see all this cool stuff? Dan Reed, Microsoft's vice president for technology policy and strategy, told us previously that the technical underpinnings to enable white spaces should start showing up in specialty devices initially, with broader consumer adoption coming in two or three year.
In making the decision, the FCC set aside two vacant UHF channels for use by wireless microphones and other low-powered devices across the country. The National Association of Broadcasters, which has expressed concern about interference with mics and television signals, says it is reviewing the decision.
Update: Here is Google's blog post on the issue. I've also asked Microsoft for comment.
Update II Here's the statement issued by Microsoft, from Craig Mundie, the company's chief research and strategy officer.
“As more people access information via mobile and other intelligent devices, additional strain is being put on existing wireless networks. Microsoft appreciates the hard work by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and the other FCC Commissioners and Congress leading up to this vote. Their action will deliver greater broadband connectivity to consumers, and promote growth and investment in a new generation of wireless broadband technologies.
“With this vote, the Commission is taking a forward-looking view of how to optimize spectrum allocation by capitalizing on evolving technologies. As a result, technology companies will be able to develop new applications that tap into the potential of white spaces networks. On Microsoft’s own campus in Redmond, WA, a prototype ‘White-Fi’ system delivers more economical broadband Internet access for employees traveling between buildings on the campus. The FCC’s decision will create opportunities for American companies to remain at the forefront of technological innovation.”
http://techflash.com/seattle/2010/09/here_it_comes_super_wifi.html
Todd Bishop
Microsoft, Google and other tech companies won a key victory in Washington, D.C., today as the Federal Communications Commission moved to open up vacant spectrum between television channels for unlicensed use by wireless devices -- a development expected to lead to a powerful new form of wireless Internet access.
The decision was closely watched in the tech community for its potential to create entirely new types applications and businesses. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski hit on that theme in his prepared remarks (PDF), saying that the commission's decision would open "a new platform for American innovation."
"We know from experience that unlicensed spectrum can trigger unexpected but hugely beneficial innovation. For example, years ago, there was a band of low-quality spectrum that was lying fallow," he said. "Nobody could figure out what to do with this so-called 'junk band,' so the FCC decided to free it up as unlicensed spectrum. The result was a wave of new technologies – baby monitors, cordless phones, and eventually a real game changer: Wi-Fi. Today, Wi-Fi is a multi-billion industry and an essential part of the mobile ecosystem."
White spaces Internet is often called “wifi on steroids” -- working in much the same way as wifi but with a potential range of multiple miles, requiring fewer access points and offering the ability to better penetrate obstructions such as walls. Microsoft has been conducting extensive tests of the technology on its campus.
So when will we start to see all this cool stuff? Dan Reed, Microsoft's vice president for technology policy and strategy, told us previously that the technical underpinnings to enable white spaces should start showing up in specialty devices initially, with broader consumer adoption coming in two or three year.
In making the decision, the FCC set aside two vacant UHF channels for use by wireless microphones and other low-powered devices across the country. The National Association of Broadcasters, which has expressed concern about interference with mics and television signals, says it is reviewing the decision.
Update: Here is Google's blog post on the issue. I've also asked Microsoft for comment.
Update II Here's the statement issued by Microsoft, from Craig Mundie, the company's chief research and strategy officer.
“As more people access information via mobile and other intelligent devices, additional strain is being put on existing wireless networks. Microsoft appreciates the hard work by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and the other FCC Commissioners and Congress leading up to this vote. Their action will deliver greater broadband connectivity to consumers, and promote growth and investment in a new generation of wireless broadband technologies.
“With this vote, the Commission is taking a forward-looking view of how to optimize spectrum allocation by capitalizing on evolving technologies. As a result, technology companies will be able to develop new applications that tap into the potential of white spaces networks. On Microsoft’s own campus in Redmond, WA, a prototype ‘White-Fi’ system delivers more economical broadband Internet access for employees traveling between buildings on the campus. The FCC’s decision will create opportunities for American companies to remain at the forefront of technological innovation.”
http://techflash.com/seattle/2010/09/here_it_comes_super_wifi.html