Posted on 06/28/2010 5:38:00 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama endorsed on Monday plans by regulators to nearly double the spectrum now available for wireless devices.
The White House announced a plan modeled after proposals by the Federal Communications Commission to free up 500 megahertz of spectrum over the next 10 years to meet the demand for laptop computers and smartphones such as Apple Inc's popular iPhone.
Some estimates suggest the next five years will see an increase in wireless data of between 20 to 45 times 2009 levels, reflecting the burgeoning use of wireless devices.
The Federal Communications Commission, which manages commercial spectrum licenses, and the Department of Commerce, which oversees government spectrum, have been working together to locate unused spectrum.
Officials said they hope they can identify some spectrum by October 1 that can be made available within five years.
Paul Gallant, a telecommunications analyst with Concept Capital, said Obama's announcement is a plosive development for wireless infrastructure companies such as Alcatel-Lucent SA, American Tower Corp, Ciena Corp, and Tellabs Inc, among others.
The "White House's endorsement bolsters the outlook for spectrum goals" laid out by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski in the recent National Broadband Plan, Gallant said.
Freeing up airwaves to meet the growing demands of the wireless industry is a major component of the FCC's National Broadband Plan to increase Internet subscribers and provide affordable access to rural and low-income families.
But early attempts to meet an expected growth in wireless devices have hit snags because broadcasters and some U.S. government agencies have balked. Obama's plan could help pressure spectrum holders to reconsider their positions.
Broadcasters are reluctant to give up spectrum because it could harm the public's ability to watch free programing and government agencies have cited national security concerns.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
The Graduate..
Plastics
Today..
Wireless
About time (and I hope this spreads to other countries as well). The frequency division we have today is based on technological capability 60 years ago. With current gen antennas and receivers, you can reduce the frequency-gap to a tenth without problem.
Because Wireless is easier to block....
Don’t fall for this. It’s a government frequency grab. It will eliminate “free” TV and may grab ham UHF frequencies. These people in Washington see personal use of the spectrum as unnecessary, free TV as a waste of spectrum, and they see spectrum like it’s their checkbook to auction off to supply their slush funds.
Yes, we now have narrowband modes, but also have increased communications needs. The spectrum savings by using digital voice and narrow technologies is offset by the added services.
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