White Space Radio To Be Tested In Cambridge

judgecorp writes "White space radio, the technology which could provide broadband networks by using TV spectrum more efficiently, will be tested in Cambridge. A consortium including Microsoft, BT and the BBC will check the technology does not interfere with TV, and test it for mobile broadband and telemetry. The regulator, Ofcom, has already set out likely terms for legalising white space radio and seems on track to approve it soon."

Maybe in the US???

[edumacator]

The use of white space radio has been proposed in the US, but has mired in arguments.

Maybe if the Brits can pull this off, we'll see some limited trials in the US soon...maybe.

Re:

[rbrausse]

at least the terminology is already US-based, pg. 14 [ofcom.org.uk] explains the changed wording from 'cognitive devices' to 'white space devices' with

In the US the term WSDs has become common usage and we see no value in having different terminology for the same device.

A rational and straight-forward motivation issued by a public authority? I'm *shocked*

Re:Maybe in the US???

[rbrausse]

as a more serious side note: according to this article [radiomagonline.com] the Rice University in Houston is actually testing white space radio in the US

Re:

[JasterBobaMereel]

Of all the UK regulators Ofcom seem to be the most sensible ....

they have even taken the Broadband companies to task over their 'unlimited' broadband (which is limited) and 'up to' speeds which are unobtainable unless you live in the telephone exchange ...

Re:

[MichaelSmith]

Can any of you suggest a course of action?

Nothing that won't get you arrested.

It's Going To Happen

[SplicerNYC]

Too much money at stake for high-stakes players. They'll saw off a couple of corners to make it fit.

Re:

[Anonymous Coward]

Right on brother, looking forward to enjoying more of the quality entertainment offered by ITV.

Re:

[ciderbrew]

I couldn't agree less. Look at the crap ITV and 4 put out. Go to 4OD and see just how crap the Channel 4 back catalogue is for science. iplayer is worth the fee. Popularism and fighting for high ratings vs cost just makes for lowest common denominator tripe. A programme with Jim al-khalili talking about the history of chemistry would have never of been made by ITV. You'd get Ant and Dec's fink'king and kemister'rey and stuff. You may like x factor; but please don't make me suffer it.

Re:

[rich_hudds]

Well we live in a democracy and people keep voting for parties that have it in their manifesto. Personally I'd pay the licence fee for the radio alone. Radio with adverts is hell.

Re:

[AlecC]

According to some of the linked articles, the intent is the exact opposite: to use bandwidth allocated to TV but not locally in use to provide broadband, particularly in rural areas.

Frequency purity

[the_raptor]

And like the power meter monitoring devices and intra-house networking over power cabling the devices emissions will stick to their allocated spectrum like a politician sticks to their promises.

Amateur radio was a fun hobby while it lasted. But Ofcom is leading the charge worldwide in killing it off (or at least forcing Hams into using only high power SDR digital modes). It is fun when Hams have to pass a test, pay a license fee, stuck with specially licensed equipment, legally required not to cause interfe

Re:

[ewanm89]

Okay, say good bye to all your wifi, you do know that the 2.45 GHz band is a ham primary band. 2, Ofcom was the first to ditch licence fees. Low power morse, or multi frequencies modes are still in use and are great for low power, one can bust through most interference without the need of major power.

Re:

[megabeck42]

Uhh, Hi. Yeah. Sorry, The 12cm/13cm band is 2.3-2.31Ghz and 2.39-2.45Ghz. It doesn't overlap the entire ISM allocation. People are still welcome to use channel 11 on their wifi routers... or use those fancy 5GHz radios.

White Space Radio

[royallthefourth]

Why are they broadcasting country music into space??

Re:

[kat_skan]

Because the only known safe way to dispose of country music is to dump it into the sun.

Cambridge, England

[bill_mcgonigle]

In case the rest of you [wikipedia.org] got your hopes us.

What happens when the white space disappears??

[Shirley Marquez]

I see a huge potential problem lurking with whitespace devices. What happens when additional licensed broadcasters come along and the whitespaces that these devices are counting on are no longer available? There will be a large installed base of users who will suddenly be very unhappy...