The Jeff Pulver Blog: Act NOW for Better Internet Access. Support Technology Innovation in America.

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October 26, 2008

Act NOW for Better Internet Access. Support Technology Innovation in America.

My friend Tom Evslin reminded me that “on November 4th there is a good chance that the FCC will do something really good to improve Internet and mobile phone access in the US: on that day the Commission is planning on voting on regulations to open huge swatches of idle but extremely valuable radio spectrum for open UNLICENSED use.”

The spectrum in question is the so-called TV White Spaces, the radio frequencies between existing TV stations.

Making such spectrum available for unlicensed use will make it much easier to deploy broadband internet connectivity in rural areas and will also provide a fertile opportunity for enterprising entrepreneurs to develop and launch next generation communication services, which in turn would help create jobs and provide a boost to our economy.

In a world where saying no is easier than saying yes, should the FCC decide to make the unlicensed spectrum available, it will be sending the right message to other regulators from around the world who look to the United States for thought leadership.

Mention this petition to the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and you will find that they are lobbying their membership to oppose it on technical reasons that the FCC has already proven to be unfounded. In other words, they are flexing their political clout because they can and it seems because they don’t want consumers in America to benefit from the positive effects of opening up the TV White Spaces.

Why? Well, as I mentioned in my recent blog post: Thinking about the Future of TV, as consumers discover they can watch TV content on the Internet and no longer have a need for a TV set, a tuner or an antenna or even a cable box, the advent of broadband internet access coupled with the immediate availability of Prime Time TV shows delivered over the Internet is disruptive to the core business interests of the National Association of Broadcasters. NAB is fearful for what may happen next to the broadcasting industry. So NAB is doing what it does best when it is running scared. NAB is reaching out to their lobbyists and friends and are trying to put pressure on as many people as they can to convince the FCC to not allow this to happen.

The good news is that the vote hasn’t happened yet and that the FCC is interested from hearing from the public about this very issue.

Your input to the FCC PRIOR TO TUESDAY'S DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT could make a difference (simple way to comment provided by Google here.)

Please take a moment and provide a comment. You can make a difference. And while you are at it, please encourage other people to have their voices heard too.

If you would prefer, you can also comment directly on the FCC docket by going to http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/upload_v2.cgi and typing the docket number 04-186 in the first box.

Your voice matters.

Please take a moment and share your comment right away. THE DEADLINE is TUESDAY, October 28th.

Tags: TV White Space, 04-186, FCC, NAB, Tom Evslin, Jeff Pulver

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Posted by jeff on October 26, 2008 04:07 PM | Permalink

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Comments

Posted by: 情趣用品 at May 16, 2009 08:51 AM

Posted by: dhfs at March 25, 2009 09:51 PM

First think of Fiber as a replacement to the old copper telephone lines.By its nature it can supply a larger more stable connection for whatever use you could think of and some that have yet to be invented. HOWEVER a fiber to the home network does not replace the need for some type of nationwide WIfi or WiMax network. The only way to establish this task nationwide is to make the spectrum available in a open, free to all type of network. If you limit it in any way you would be left with a restricted network that would take a longer time to deliver.
If you look at the technology standing of some "third world countries" they far surpass the USA. The main reason for this is they had nothing at all and were starting from scratch.
We have to replace everything-we had it all- Incumbent carriers have invested a huge amount of money in older technology and refuse to invest all over again. I do not blame them, they have to keep an eye on their bottom line. THE only way we can stay on top is to make sure we support open UNLICENSED use.
Mike Oltedal

Posted by: Mike Oltedal at October 30, 2008 10:22 AM

October 26, 2008

Act NOW for Better Internet Access. Support Technology Innovation in America.

Comments

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