Advanced Television

FCC opens vacant wavelengths for broadband

September 24, 2010

The FCC has paved the way for new high-speed web devices by releasing unused television frequencies for use by mobile broadband.

The unanimous decision of the Federal Communications Commission, was hailed by the regulator as its first major release of unlicensed spectrum in 25 years. It will open the way for service providers to market services and devices that communicate using spectrum that had been left vacant as an interference buffer zone (or ‘white spaces) for broadcast TV stations.

The decision “will enhance our economy and strengthen our global competitiveness, lead to billions of dollars in private investment and to valuable new products and services – some we can imagine, and many we can’t,” FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said after the vote.

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