October 11, 2013
As the television industry slowly converts from analog to digital the FCC In 2010 approved new rules for the use of so called "white space", the unused spectrum next to TV channels. While this decision was strongly opposed by television operators who were concerned about possible interference from devices using white space frequencies, the FCC was under pressure from wireless carriers to free up more frequencies to meet the ever growing demand for data services.
As a consequence of this decision wireless manufacturers have begun to make radios using some of this spectrum. The FCC manages its use to ensure that there is no interference with existing TV license holders. As the spectrum is freed up in a geographic area it then becomes available for licensed use.
Some of the first radios using white space spectrum were made using the frequency band 470-698 MHz. This band can be particularly useful in making connections where there is difficult terrain, long distances between end points and where there is frequency congestion. It is also hoped that this technology will make the internet more available to people in rural areas of the country.
Radios using these frequencies can provide excellent propagation characteristics for non line of sight coverage, and signal penetration through buildings and foliage. These radios have a channel size of 6 MHz and they can provide up to 3Mbps of data rate in a point to point or point to multipoint configuration. The radios can be mounted either indoors or outdoors and are capable of supporting any type of IP traffic, voice or video.
For more information about White Space products contact us at 978-952-6000 or email us at sales@directnetserv.com.
