Areas of the TV broadcast spectrum that are currently not being used are called “white space”. For the purpose of advancing mobile system technology, the Federal Communications Commission plans for making white space available for public consumption. The release of white space unlocks huge potential for wireless networks. Some are calling the emerging technology “Wi-Fi on steroids. Dead zones might be a thing of the past with the advent of powerful mobile networks enabled by white space. Wi-Fi on steroids will lead to the development of new devices using new applications yet to be imagined. The economic potential of having the white space spectrum available without a license for small businesses is projected to be within the billions.
white space excites innovators
“The FCC is likely to announce that white space will be made publicly accessible for use in mobile systems on Sept. 23. The New York Times reports that Wi-Fi on steroids owes its existence to digital Television. When TV broadcasts were converted from analog to electronic digital, a surplus of white space was created. Digital broadcasts take up less space on the TV spectrum than analog, leaving more white space to go around. Wireless technology developers are anxious about white space. Wi-Fi on the lower frequency of the Television spectrum will have far greater range, penetrate barriers more easily and provide more dependable Web access . Allowing use of white space with no license fees could launch another wave of advancement comparable to 1985, when the release of unlicensed range resulted in things taken for given today such as baby monitors and keyless entries.
Super Wi-Fi has its doubters
Not everyone is thrilled regarding the prospect of Wi-Fi on anabolic steroids. A recent PC World article mentions that companies such as TV broadcasters and concert halls that use wireless microphones see possible issues with white space networks. They anticipate a disruption of their signal from Wi-Fi systems with extended range. However, to keep devices using the white space spectrum from interfering, the FCC has created a database of TV channels and wireless microphone usage. Area by area, wireless technology will most likely be pre-programmed to choose vacant frequencies.
Wi-Fi on steroids in action
Some entities already have the white space spectrum in play. An article in the Register describes Wi-Fi on steroids in use in Redmond, Wash., at the Microsoft campus. Microsoft’s “white-fi” network is providing connectivity to shuttle buses and buildings spanning its 500-acre campus from only two hot-spots. As reported in the Times, Super Wi-Fi is getting used in New Hanover County. Public officials are testing white space for a variety of uses. To track traffic bottlenecks, its transportation department connects with remote cameras via white space. The parks department saves on manpower costs. It uses white space to collect and share data the federal government demands from remote environmental areas . Wi-Fi on steroids could eventually lead to such innovations as intelligent electric grids, remote health monitoring and other billion-dollar industries.
Additional reading
New York Times
nytimes.com/2010/09/13/technology/13wifi.html?pagewanted=1 and _r=1 and src=busln
PC World
pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/205332/fcc_paving_the_way_to_wifi_on_steroids.html?tk=hp_new
The Register
theregister.co.uk/2010/09/13/white_space/
