Forum 14

The United States Federal Communications Commission is considering using white space, the unused television airwaves, to provide Americans with free broadband service. However, the National Association of broadcasters opposes the proposal on the basis of technical inadequacies. The FCC has stated that the plan will not interfere significantly with phone companies' networks, but T-mobile disagrees. T-Mobile has warned that the plan to bring free wi-fi to the U.S. could interfere with certain frequencies on the company's Advanced Wireless Services. Shire Inc., a manufacturer of wireless microphones, has also raised concerns about interference with audio systems. Kevin Martin released a report concluding that potential interference could be eliminated with the use of wireless transmitter devices that rely on spectrum-sensing and "geo-location" technologies to detect and avoid broadcast signals. Martin's white space proposal is one of several in which he pushes to use wireless technology to bring broadband to parts of the country that lack high-speed internet service. The National Association of Broadcasters has quickly spoken up against this, saying some tests caused wireless devices to malfunction. "It would appear that the FCC is misinterpreting the actual data collected by their own engineers," said NBA Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton.

1. T-Mobile believes that the FCC's plan could interfere with certain frequencies on their $4 billion Advanced Wireless Services-1 spectrum. However, the phone companies also know that this could affect their profit on data rates. In fact, they, along with AT&T, Verizon Wireless and Intel, wrote a letter arguing for an auction of the new airwaves as opposed to simply using them to create free WiFi. The FCC believes that this block of spectrum is ripe for innovation and experimental use, holding rich potential for expanding broadband capacity and improving access for many users, and for developing technologies that can expand access to other frequencies and services.

2. If the broadband service could be implemented by the FCC, the economy would continue in a more positive way. As long as it isn't totally free, the government could charge a low fee for use or integrate the cost into taxes. If not, the schools and businesses would still benefit because they would have one less expense to tend to. Also, Internet providers will not lose their profits, since most of them provide cable and other services anyhow.

3. Apart from the advantage of TV white space having a low frequency spectrum, there are many issues that hamper