White Space

White Space. What a deal! I had to really educate myself on this one.
White space in telecommunications refers to unused frequencies in the radio waves portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
....
On November 4th, 2008, the FCC voted 5-0 to approve new uses for white spaces, thereby silencing opposition from broadcasters, Broadway theater producers and sports franchises who hoped to derail or delay the decision. They have argued that their own transmissions — whether from television signals or from wireless microphones used in live music performances — could face interference from new devices that use the white spaces. However, the FCC rejected their arguments saying enough testing has been done and through new regulations, possible interference will be minimized. It is hoped that, within a year, this new access will lead to more reliable Wi-Fi and other technologies. [Wikipedia]
I've actually been helping the campaign that led to this vote, but the truth is I was not 100% sure what I was supporting. Story of my life. Here's the scoop in an email I got today:
Score one for the public: On Tuesday, the FCC voted overwhelmingly to open "white spaces" to new technology that could vastly expand high-speed Internet access nationwide.

This decision is a landmark victory that simply could not have happened without the tens of thousands of letters and calls from people like you.

Despite fierce lobbying and scare tactics from the National Association of Broadcasters, we're now one step closer to providing affordable broadband access to everyone in America.

Tuesday's vote is a clear example of what we can accomplish when we stand together against powerful media interests, with their high-priced lobbyists, lawyers and PR flacks.

Free Press members did an amazing amount of work to help open white spaces. You called your members of Congress, signed our Halloween petition and urged thousands of your friends to join the fight. Stay tuned for updates as we move closer to making universal Internet access a reality in America.

We can be sure that the Big Media lobbying machine will keep firing away at the public interest. Free Press Action Fund needs your support today to be on the front lines ready to stop them.

I hope we can count on you to continue to stand beside us.

With immense gratitude,
Timothy Karr
Campaign Director
Free Press
www.freepress.net
www.savetheinternet.com

P.S. Because of your efforts, everyone won on Election Day. And while the Nov. 4 FCC vote was a tremendous win in the fight to bring affordable, high-speed Internet into every home, business and community in the country, it's just the beginning. We need your help to make sure we preserve this victory.
Little did I know. YEAH YEAH!!!!

Comments

  1. Framing Images and MemoriesNovember 7, 2008 at 6:25 AM

    Good Job! I may not agree with all of your political beliefs but I do in this case and I ALWAYS LOVE people power! We have given away too much power to government and agencies, etc.
    Will you speaking on the issue of radio free-that affects talk radio. I keep hearing something on this-that conservative talk radio will die..what's that all about?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 7, 2008 at 11:44 AM

    Democracy in action!

    Good for you for getting involved.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownNovember 7, 2008 at 8:12 PM

    I don't know anything about "radio free". If that has anything with the Fairness Doctrine, I wrote the initial article on the Fairness Doctrine that appears here:

    http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/The_Fairness_Doctrine

    Please let me know if this is what you are referring to. I listen mostly to music on the radio.

    ReplyDelete

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