Whitespace Internet

In the coming weeks and months you will probably be hearing a lot about “whitespace internet”.  To put it simply “whitespace” refers to the vacated broadcast bandwidth that was freed up when all public broadcast television stations converted to digital transmission in 2009.  For years proponents of net neutrality and making the internet free and readily available to the public have been promoting the idea of using these available frequencies to broadcast wifi signals that everyone can use.

While the idea seems fair and that it will be an overall boon to the nation and economy there are several groups that are against the proposal.  The National Broadcaster’s Association, or NAB, has fought the bill based on concerns that the wifi broadcast will effect existing adjacent frequencies.  There are also concerns voiced by broadband internet providers, phone carriers and cable companies who may become superfluous if free internet is made available to the masses.

The issue is sure to be hotly contested now that the FCC has voted to allow the development of wifi infrastructure on the available unused television spectrum.  Several large players are sure to be working on creating and implementing the technology to make this a reality.  Please check our news section for the latest info on this exciting new revolution from some of the top sources.