FCC OK's "white spaces" for public use

After six years of hearings, controversy, and false starts, the FCC has finally cleared the way for wireless devices to use the empty radio spectrum between TV channels. Think "Wi-Fi on steroids," as advocates have called it.

Tuesday's vote (overshadowed—just a bit—by the election of our new president) was 5-0, according to the L.A. Times technology blog, and came over the objections of broadcasters and entertainers who argued that proposed "white space" devices could interfere with TV signals and wireless microphones. Indeed, Dolly Parton has been making headlines recently with her opposition to the plan.

But proponents of "white space" use—including tech giants like Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Microsoft—promise cheap, reliable wireless broadband capable of traveling long distances and through obstacles like trees and walls. That means rural areas (which have fewer TV channels, and thus more "white space" room) could at last enjoy widespread, wireless broadband access, while muni Wi-Fi efforts (remember those?) could be backstopped using what white-space spectrum is available.

Still, interference will certainly be a risk, and it's been a tricky problem to lick. As the L.A. Times notes, new devices will be restricted to channels that are further down the dial (21 to 51, to be specific), and they'll have to undergo "rigorous" testing to ensure they won't stumble into TV transmissions. Meanwhile, "safe zones" will be designated near stadiums, the theater district in Times Square, and other large venues where wireless microphones are used.

So, when could we start see "white space"-using devices on sale? Probably not for another year or so, as the New York Times notes.

Personally, I think it's great news, especially for those in outlying areas who've had to make do with poky dial-up and/or flaky satellite Net access. No one wants to see new wireless devices playing havoc with TV signals or Britney's live performances (oh, wouldn't that be a shame!), but if you ask me, the potential of inexpensive, long-range wireless access through white-space spectrum is too great to ignore. Count me in.

Related:
FCC votes to turn empty TV channels into wireless Net access [L.A. Times tech blog]