Opening Up White Space - Details?

[John Picard]

In February, 2009, all analog TV broadcasting will cease. This will create a spectrum of open bandwidth that the FCC has been auctioning off that some ISPs have been snapping up. The idea is to provide high speed access that will rival all current Broadband in use. I have read reports there were complaints that this would create a lot of interference, which I believe Google proved wasn't true. The great part of this is that high speed Internet would *FINALLY* be available for people such as myself, who are too remote for Broadband, DSL, and that satellite is too expensive.

So far, I haven't seen any more news/information regarding this. Can anyone shed any light on how this is progressing? Once I can dump dial-up I can "cut the cord" regarding my land line. No sense in paying two telephone bills

 

[Chaos Descending]

I don't know how, I completely missed hearing even one little bit about this!

I mean, I knew that Analog was going bye-bye in 0902, but I hadn't heard about the broadband internet business.

I look forward to hearing more about this as well!

 

[anti-matter]

If I were you I'd call Verizon and see if DSL is available. I'm kind of remote too and without doing anything to the existing 30yo phone lines they made it happen through software.

In the morning we were at 30kbps by noon it was shot up to 690kbps.

I didn't even know we were eligible but when talking to a rep about the bill they asked if we wanted it. Now we save on an extra phone line and a provider.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

Yeah, the FCC has already been auctioning off chunks of the spectrum currently allocated to analog TV channels 60 to 69 in the US.

See:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4246037.html

Verizon Borgified lots of it:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=8276
talkback on same article:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=8276#comments

...and some analog TV will remain after the deadline...at least for a time.

Conventional cable TV will remain analog, though many are now offerring digital services as a premium packake.

For TV stations with translators for rural areas (like the one I work for), the FCC has decreed that analog translators may remain in operation till 2012. "May remain" allows the TV stations some time to transition these lower power outlying repeaters at a more leisurely pace, and on a schedule they can manage themselves to some degree.

AG

 

[Garrovick]

I don't see any major changes in wireless broadband in the future.

All I see are the major cell phone companies buying the freed up airwaves for future use.

What is available now, is what will be available over the next decade.

 

[John Picard]

If I were you I'd call Verizon and see if DSL is available. I'm kind of remote too and without doing anything to the existing 30yo phone lines they made it happen through software.

In the morning we were at 30kbps by noon it was shot up to 690kbps.

I didn't even know we were eligible but when talking to a rep about the bill they asked if we wanted it. Now we save on an extra phone line and a provider.

Not going to work. People who live in populated areas have difficulty understanding my situation. Let me put it this way, live way out in BFE. My former girl-friend's dad would say, "You live out at 199th Street and Plowed Ground". The company formerly known as Southwestern Bell ran fiber along all of the east/west running roads out my way about 12 years ago; however, I am *just beyond* being able to connect for DSL. Period.

For two years I had satellite through a company called "Wild Blue", but their customer service was horrible as was their record keeping and competency of personnel. It took a complaint to the Colorado BBB (where the company is located) to get my account closed. Hughes, and some of those other satellite providers charge an ungodly amount for initial start-up and equipment as well as exorbitant monthly fees.

The town where I live, Norman, Oklahoma, has a lot of Wi-Fi hot spots; however, I am in the rural part so far out that it would be impossible for me to get a signal (especially at 12 miles out). So that is not an option.

About two months ago, I read an article in the local paper that AT&T was incorporating and expanding a new "wireless DSL" service that originates in northern Oklahoma City and covers a radius of approximately 75 -100 miles. The signal is for portable devices such as laptops, Crackberries, and the like. I would like something for my home machine, because the pain of using 28.8bps is indescribable, which is why the opening of the White Space would be a God-send. I plan on contacting AT&T to see if I possibly have any options to pick up their wireless signal, because if I can, I'll be one it like a hobo on a ham sandwich.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

The reallocated chunk of spectrum is not going to be available for use till well after analog TV leaves it. Talk of using it as your next ISP is VERY premature at this point.

For remote users that aren't able to get DSL or cable ISP service may be in service areas where EVDO service is available through various wireless providers like Sprint or Verizon. While EVDO is fairly quick, be prepared to pay a bit more than you'd expect to pay for DSL or cable modem service. They often use terms like "wireless broadband" for this type of service.

With Verizon getting the lions share of the new band, I don't expect prices to drop when new services using it begin to emerge. Competitive pricing has never been their strong point!

AG

 

[John Picard]

The reallocated chunk of spectrum is not going to be available for use till well after analog TV leaves it. Talk of using it as your next ISP is VERY premature at this point.

For remote users that aren't able to get DSL or cable ISP service may be in service areas where EVDO service is available through various wireless providers like Sprint or Verizon. While EVDO is fairly quick, be prepared to pay a bit more than you'd expect to pay for DSL or cable modem service. They often use terms like "wireless broadband" for this type of service.

With Verizon getting the lions share of the new band, I don't expect prices to drop when new services using it begin to emerge. Competitive pricing has never been their strong point!

AG

Sadly, I am afraid you are correct.

 

[Deleted 2]

The town where I live, Norman, Oklahoma, has a lot of Wi-Fi hot spots; however, I am in the rural part so far out that it would be impossible for me to get a signal (especially at 12 miles out). So that is not an option.

If you can get a clear line-of-sight, A directional antenna can get you that far.

Alternatively, since you're just out of DSL range, offer to share subscription costs with your neighbours, and set up a wireless link over a shorter range.

 

[John Picard]

The town where I live, Norman, Oklahoma, has a lot of Wi-Fi hot spots; however, I am in the rural part so far out that it would be impossible for me to get a signal (especially at 12 miles out). So that is not an option.

If you can get a clear line-of-sight, A directional antenna can get you that far.

Interesting idea. I am now checking to see if that will be possible or not; however, it's a bit hilly where I live, and even though I'm at the top of a hill, LOS may *NOT* be possible.

Alternatively, since you're just out of DSL range, offer to share subscription costs with your neighbours, and set up a wireless link over a shorter range.

Not going to happen. We're talking Petticoat Junction types out here.

 

[Kaziarl]

You mentioned a rather large wireless network in your area, something stopping you from using it bacause your machine didn't have a wireless nic? Atleast if I read that right... Anyway, if that is the case there are wireless USB nic's that you can get for fairly cheap, and have deacent range and bandwidth. You could probably easily find one on bestbuy.com or similar sites. That way you don't have to open your computer to install one, you just plug it in. Most don't even need an install disc unless it's an older system.

 

[John Picard]

You mentioned a rather large wireless network in your area, something stopping you from using it bacause your machine didn't have a wireless nic? Atleast if I read that right... Anyway, if that is the case there are wireless USB nic's that you can get for fairly cheap, and have deacent range and bandwidth. You could probably easily find one on bestbuy.com or similar sites. That way you don't have to open your computer to install one, you just plug it in. Most don't even need an install disc unless it's an older system.

Nope, nope, nope. I'm 12 miles from town, and the only thing I know that comes remotely close is 6 miles away. I'm telling you people, you just don't understand this unless you're like I am and you live in BFE! What pisses me off is that I see more news reports about how companies are worried about getting high speed access to the ghetto and underprivileged places, yet I pretty much have to take it up the pooper if I want something decent. It's bullshit.

 

[Kaziarl]

No, I understand, because I used to live that far out of town myself. About the only other thing I can think of for now is a network card from one of the cellular companies. If you get a cell signal, you can usually use the broadband cards from them.

 

[John Picard]

No, I understand, because I used to live that far out of town myself. About the only other thing I can think of for now is a network card from one of the cellular companies. If you get a cell signal, you can usually use the broadband cards from them.

Cool. Actually, I think I may have a lead on what I was talking about from AT&T with their 3G platform. I'll report back what I learn.

 

[Meredith]

I plan to pickup broad band on my really cheap old B&W TV set and I will use a web cam duct taped to the screen to make my own homemade modem.

 

[Alaedhros]

Google's TiSP would be another way to solve your problem, I think.

 

[rType]

I plan to pickup broad band on my really cheap old B&W TV set and I will use a web cam duct taped to the screen to make my own homemade modem.

Don't be daft, at the very least you'll need electrical tape for that sort of work.

 

[John Picard]

Google's TiSP would be another way to solve your problem, I think.

Too bad I have a septic tank

*EDIT*

I received a message from some PR geek at AT&T giving me the link to check AT&T's coverage of the 3G mobile network. Naturally, I'm not within the broadcast range. I have an acquaintance on the other side of OKC tell me that he uses it on his laptop and that the signal is not that great.

I spoke with the network guys downstairs, one of whom used to be into Ham Radio. He told me to get a device for checking to see if I can pick up a signal. For all I know (since I am atop a hill), Norman may not be my best option, but rather to point towards Seminole or even Tulsa! Sometimes, when conditions are right, I can pull in stations from Tulsa on my television, and that's with a really low grade antenna.

 

[farmkid]

My parents live in a similar area in Idaho. They are several miles from the nearest town with broadband, as are many of their neighbors. They recently had DSL made available to them, but before that, their only option was a company called Teton Wireless. Subscribers used a dish, much like the dish used for Dish or DirecTV, except that it was aimed at an antenna on a nearby hill. The system has a range of many miles and doesn't depend on cable or wires. Is there anything like that in your area?

 

[John Picard]

Well, it seems that the e-mails I sent to AT&T were forwarded to a very nice lady at the AT&T office in Norman. She stated that if I can receive a cell phone signal then I can pick up the signal for AT&T's "Edge" network. All I need to do is purchase a USB Data card for $100 (and there's some stupid rebate associated with that for $100) which has an antenna on it. I sign a 2-year agreement at $60/month for wireless high speed access. I get to test it to see if it works to my satisfaction. If it doesn't, then I can return the card and cancel the service.

So, it looks like next week I'm getting a card and seeing what happens.