By Gautham Nagesh
The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to approve the use of unused television spectrum known as "white spaces." Lawmakers, industry and advocacy groups hailed the announcement as the start of a new wave of innovation in wireless technologies.
The unused airwaves between television channels are low frequency and able to travel over much larger distances than traditional wireless networks, earning them the moniker "WiFi on Steroids." A single access point would be capable of providing wireless broadband access to users within a 50-mile radius.
FCC chairman Julius Genachowski predicted the white spaces would become a "powerful platform for innovation" and said the U.S. would be the first country to deploy the technology. He also cited an analyst's estimate that the release could eventually add more than $7 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
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“Releasing unused spectrum is a sure-fire way to promote innovation and provide low-cost internet to folks in Western Massachusetts and across the country,” said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) in statement. “Today’s announcement from the FCC is a critical step towards a robust wireless future that will benefit all Americans.”
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