The most important issue today in the FCC is the use of the White Space Radio Spectrum. After many discussions, and a nasty FUD campaign by the Major Telco companies, the FCC plans on allowing local, licence-free use of this White Space spectrum, and the possibilities are nearly endless. Most recent findings, those the FCC intend to base decisions on, see this as a Win-Win for consumers.

Imagine free, local android phones calls, or even using your router instead of cables for your television. How about using your cell phone instead of your PC and still have a keyboard and mouse? How about a network of free television channels to broadcast the High School play or football game. How about an integrated Fire, Police, and EMS communication and training network without the outlay of taxpayer money to pay the FCC for those pesky and expensive licence’s. All of these possibilities exist, along with many that have not even been invented. The future is now, and it looks real cool.

The space between the channels on your television is where the future of communication lives. The potential for this white space is limited only by creativity, ingenuity, and the need for clear rules of the road. Wireless broadband is the most promising way to extend affordable, ubiquitous, high-speed Internet connections to all Americans, create mesh networks for emergency first responders, enable new capabilities that bring safety, convenience, and comfort to consumers in their homes, and empower the creators of tomorrow’s innovations.

One of the most important aspects of this technology is that the white space that surrounds your home or school belongs to you. Your radio waves belong to you, not some multimillion dollar money grubbing left-wing media company. There are so many open frequencies that in a community like North Rockland, there would be an endless supply of channels for everyone to use. All you need is a transmitter and a dream. The time is now that we allow free access to this white space, it in turn will allow developers to come up with new and innovative uses for this spectrum in conjunction with device makers, and it should allow those communities with no broadband penetration a good chance to be connected.

I want to thank the Wireless Innovation Alliance who’s members have lobbied to make this spectrum available. You can visit them for more information.