FCC Will Test Internet Over TV Airwaves, Again 86
Weather Storm writes "According to MSNBC.com, the FCC will try again to test prototypes on Jan. 24 for transmitting high-speed Internet service over unused television airwaves. The devices were developed by Microsoft and Motorola, among other corporate partners, and will be tested in laboratory and real-world conditions for three months. 'Last year, a high-technology coalition — which included Microsoft, Google Inc., Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co., Intel Corp. among others — submitted prototypes they said could transmit broadband Internet service over unlicensed and unused TV spectrum, known as "white spaces." Television broadcasters and the wireless microphone industry say such devices could interfere with programming. The Initial prototype testing failed last July because the devices did not reliably detect and avoid TV programming signals and could have caused interference. If the tests are successful this time and the devices are approved, the coalition plans to introduce commercial devices for sale after the digital television transition in February 2009.'"
During peak times (Score:3, Funny)
Re:During peak times (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Rural internet is sort of a joke anyhow (Score:5, Funny)
Over here (in "Little Britain") a large 'rural area' probably equates to a small city park in N. America - so net accessibility in remote regions is not such a big issue: we simly don't tell them the internet exists.
Re:Mostly benefits rural areas (Score:5, Funny)
But will they run Hurd?
Re:Detection should be easy (Score:5, Funny)
Makes Perfect Sense (Score:4, Funny)
I think my head hurts. But I'm pretty sure we invented perpetual motion somewhere in there.
Re:Rural internet is sort of a joke anyhow (Score:3, Funny)
Companies won't run the extra bit of line because they are lazy and don't want to put out what amounts to relatively insignificant amounts of money for eventual profits. That is exactly why we need laws passed to force cable and telephone companies to remedy the problem, instead of avoiding it altogether. Saying that "hicks don't want internet" is ridiculous. We have electricity and telephone access, which were thought to be relatively unimportant outside of urban areas not too long ago. Heck, most of us even have county water nowadays (though I still prefer my well for safety purposes)! Yet some places don't even have cable television, let alone any sort of broadband.