FCC takes 'free love' approach to white spaces spectrum

Network World ^ | 9/24/10 | Brad Reed

[bigbob]

The Federal Communications Commission's new approach to dealing with white spaces spectrum has gone from "proceed with utmost caution" to "if a channel looks open, use it."

In its second memorandum opinion on white spaces issued Thursday, the FCC removed the requirement that devices operating on TV bands have built-in sensors that would automatically shut down the devices if they came into contact with an adjacent television signal. That requirement had originally been put in place to satisfy concerns of television broadcasters that were worried that unlicensed use of white spaces could interfere with their broadcast quality.

[bigbob]

In what has become it's trademark style, the FCC has again opened up spectrum without any requirement for standardization. So whether this will become the Next Big Thing or just another unlicensed wild-west playground remains to be seen. However you slice it, this opinion is another blow to the over-the-air TV broadcasters.

The new battle will feature Google and Microsoft vs Verizon and the telcoms...and note that when they say "free" they mean "unlicensed", not "no charge".