The Unlicensed Tsunami is Coming.

The political tides are beginning to turn when it comes to opening up vast quantities of new spectrum to unlicensed devices. Strangely enough, it's not the FCC that's the driving force behind these new initiatives, but Congress. Congressional members, tired of a stagnant broadband rollout across the United States are, more and more, taking matters into their own hands.

There's been a ton of news of late, but here's the last blurb to come across my desk (from the Benton Headlines):

WIRELESS ENTREPRENEURS: CAN YOU HEAR US NOW?

[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]

Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Commerce Committee remain pretty much in agreement that some legislation is needed to open up spectrum to wireless devices, likely including some in the spaces between broadcast channels. Driving the concern is the rollout of broadband service to rural and other underserved areas. At a hearing on the issue in the committee Tuesday, John Kneuer, of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, pointed out that, starting in 2005, the Office of Management and Budget said spectrum policy has to be looked at in terms of conserving and efficiently using spectrum. Thomas Walsh, of the rural Cellular Association, argued that it is technologically feasible to open up the broadcast band to unlicensed devices "with no danger" to existing broadcast channels, and said there is a clear benefit to doing so. Sen Kerry called broadcasters' fears of interference from the new unlicensed devices a "false argument."

www.broadcastingcable.com
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

* Intel urges lawmakers to free up U.S. airwaves