[November 07, 2008] FCC OKs white space use Tweet BRATTLEBORO, Nov 07, 2008 (Brattleboro Reformer - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- The Vermont Telecommunications Authority still has a long way to go toward providing broadband service to every corner of the state, but a decision by the Federal Communications Authority this week could go a long way toward helping them meet that goal. The FCC on Tuesday approved the new use of a slice of the television spectrum that some telecommunication experts think will make it easier for companies all over the county to deliver broadband service to the most rural communities. The FCC voted 5 to 0 to allow the unlicensed use of the television white space. The white space was developed more than 50 years ago to provide a buffer zone in between television station signals. When television stations move over to digital signals next year the spectrum space will become available. The Vermont Telecommunications Authority, or VTA, was set up by the Legislature in June 2007 to help develop the network that will provide broadband and cell phone service throughout Vermont by the end of 2010. VTA board chairwoman Mary Evslin said the FCC decision gives the state many more options as it moves forward on its promise to reach every corner of the state. "It is good for us and it is good for all of rural America," Evslin said. "It means that innovation can happen on this network and there could be a lot of creativity. It makes our problem much easier." The VTA still has to figure out what system of antennas will be most useful, and least obstructive, to bounce the wireless signals around the mountains and valleys of Vermont. But Evslin said that with the white space now open it will encourage engineers to try new ideas that might work in underserved areas such as Vermont. The debate at the FCC went on for more than four years and the plan was fiercely opposed by television broadcasters who argued that there would be interference to their signals from the new devices. In a press release, chairman Kevin Martin said the FCC studied the change and took extra time to make sure existing signals would be protected. "Consumers across the country will have access to devices and services that they may have only dreamed of before," Martin said. "We do so without disrupting TV services, wireless microphones, or other permitted uses of this spectrum. It has the potential to improve wireless broadband connectivity and inspire an ever-widening array of new Internet based products and services for consumers." Evslin was additionally encouraged by the FCC's decision to open the white spaces to unlicensed uses. If the FCC had required a license to use the spectrum, then large companies could have bought up the licenses and prevented smaller companies from using the signals. "Any innovation can happen on it, there cold be a lot of creativity" Evslin said. "It is more exciting that they approved the unlicensed use. This will not be used by only television stations and big corporations. It is the people's highway." Howard Weiss-Tisman can be reached at [email protected] or 802-254-2311, ext. 279. To see more of the Brattleboro Reformer or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.reformer.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Brattleboro Reformer, Vt. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]