You鈥檒l have heard about television over the internet, but how about internet over television? Vacant TV channels could be used to provide wireless broadband internet services in the US, following a ruling last week by the Federal Communications Commission. The FCC decision is intended to stimulate increased broadband uptake in the US, which now languishes at 15th in the world for broadband uptake.
Most US analogue television networks are due to be switched off by 2009. The spectrum this frees up will be used mainly for digital high-definition TV, but there will still be many unused frequencies 鈥� particularly in rural areas. It happens to be these areas that are worst served by broadband networks.
The National Association of Broadcasters initially objected to plans to use these frequencies for wireless internet, fearing that the signals might interfere with pictures and sound on adjacent TV channels. So the FCC has said use of vacant channels 鈥� known as 鈥渨hite spaces鈥� 鈥� will only be allowed to go ahead if wireless internet service providers can prove that no interference will occur. In addition, their devices must be capable of listening for TV signals and automatically tuning into vacant channels, to prevent a device bought in Texas, say, interfering with TV frequencies if used in New York.
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鈥淭he US is in the midst of a broadband crisis stemming from a lack of build-out and grossly inadequate competition,鈥� says FCC commissioner Michael Copps. 鈥淯sing TV white spaces is one of the truly promising opportunities before us that could provide a remedy.鈥�
