The upcoming wireless auction may be drawing another high roller. BusinessWeek has reported that Apple is looking at the possibilities of a purchase.
It’s believed that this chunk of wireless spectrum is the last available for creating a mainstream broadband network. It’s believed that signals in this 700Mhz spectrum will be able to provide faster Internet access than the cellular and WiFi options available today.
One upside of Apple purchasing the spectrum would be service to iPhone owners. They would no longer have to depend on the phone company but could use a net telephony service for cheaper, more reliable service.
There are other implications for Apple and some of them aren’t so good, for instance their margins would definitely drop.
At this point it appears as if Apple won’t bite but they’re approaching the auction well informed.
Via [businessweek.com]
Continue reading ‘Apple Eyes The Wireless Auction’
Google is looking to offer 95% of the population free broadband within the next 10 years. Unfortunately, it seems that the FCC is thwarting their efforts.
Google has contacted the FCC and explained to them their interest in a wireless proposal set forth by M2Z Networks. M2Z is hoping to lease an unused slice of wireless spectrum between 2155 to 2175 MHz.
The FCC’s stance is that they’re waiting to hear how the public wants the spectrum to be used and licensed.
Google has my vote!
Via [theregister.co.uk]
Continue reading ‘Google Launches US Wireless Crusade’
The FCC’s latest release may actually become this year’s top read. The rules for the upcoming 700 MHz auction is apparently riveting and controversial.
One large chunk of spectrum has a number of open access conditions attached to it while the other requires bidders be active in the public/private public safety network. But the new rules don’t restrict the same company from buying both of these slots. There are also three other large blocks that will be up for auction.
It is possible for one company to come in and purchase all 5 blocks of spectrum but it’s highly unlikely that anyone would as the built-out requirements for each segment are quite expansive and unique, meaning the work involved in just one segment will require a very specialized committment.
Expect the C block to garner the most attention as it could be used for a national high-speed wireless service and many of the telecoms have already expressed their interest.
Via [arstechnica.com]
Continue reading ‘700MHz Auction: What’s Really Up For Grabs, And Why It Won’t Be Monopolized’
Google has a vision of the future and it looks pretty good. Their goal is to make all cellphones compatible with any wireless network and internet access will be sold to customers at deeply discounted prices. In fact, Google is so devoted to this vision that it’s willing to throw $4.6 billion toward transforming prime public airways to a high-speed data freeway.
Google has placed a stipulation on its bid, they want regulators to agree to open access of those airwaves. If the FCC agrees the new spectrum could be revolutionary, giving consumers more choices. This idea is backed wholeheartedly by consumers, public interest groups and a coalition of major technology companies.
Via [latimes.com]
Continue reading ‘Google’s Long Shot In Wireless’
The White Space Coalition has developed and submitted another prototype to the FCC. The Coalition is made up of computer giants like Dell, EarthLink, Google, HP, Intel, Microsoft and Philips Electronics and they are looking to harness the unused television spectrum to provide wireless broadband.
The FCC’s largest concern with this leap forward in Wi-Fi is that there is no interference with existing television signals. But the Coalition is confident that this will not be a problem. Instead they’re touting the technology’s ability to produce download speeds of up to 80Mbps.
The timeline sets February 2009 as its endpoint with all analog television transmissions ceasing at this point and, if all goes well, white space broadband service beginning at the same time.
Via [arstechnica.com]
Continue reading ‘New Superfast Wireless Broadband Device Prototype Submitted To FCC’
The FCC’s decision stands. A three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Minnesota agreed with the 2004 FCC decision that companies, such as Vonage, provide interstate services, which put them out of an individual state’s control. This decision and its reaffirmation is mainly focused on Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, which lets customers make phone calls over broadband internet connections. The reason for this review of the FCC decision is Minnesota’s Public Utilities Commission was looking for increased state revenue, and by registering Vonage as a phone company they would be required to pay state tariffs and adhere to rate regulations. Vonage CEO, Mike Snyder, is happy with the decision and believes his company can now grow without the constraints of pre-Internet regulations.
Via [usatoday.com]
Continue reading ‘Court Backs FCC In VoIP Case’
Skype has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission to remove restrictions by wireless phone carriers on the kind of software communications applications that their subscribers want to use. The company requested the agency to apply the “Carterfone” decision to the wireless industry. The said rule permits consumers to connect any device to a phone network even if it has not been approved by the company so long as it does not impair the network. At present, the principle only covers wired telephone, cable TV, and data networks offered by both services such as DSL and cable.
Via [arstechnica.com]
Continue reading ‘Skype Asks FCC To Open Up Cellular Networks’
A group of wireless internet providers along with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Emergency Management Agency, have decided to jointly work and install WiMax technology at an evacuation shelter and other locations recently devastated by Katrina hurricane. The joint exercise is an effort to expeditiously restore the communication network in the affected area.
Via [mobilemag.com]
Continue reading ‘FCC Pushes WIMax OK For Katrina Victims, Intel Supplies The Hardware’
According to company officials, the new wireless router expands the wireless range of traditional routers by two to four times by operating at the highest power level currently allowed by the FCC for wireless routers.
Via [cio-today.com]
Continue reading ‘Bountiful Quadruples Wi-Fi Router Range’
An FCC task force Thursday issued a series of recommendations to encourage development of wireless broadband services, saying the FCC should rely on competition and not regulation.
Via [informationweek.mobilepipeline.com]
Continue reading ‘FCC: Competition, Not Regulation Will Encourage Wireless Broadband’
U.S. airline travelers may be able to use their mobile telephones as well as get high-speed Internet service while in the air under plans launched by U.S. communications regulators on Wednesday.
Via [olympics.reuters.com]
Continue reading ‘FCC Aims To Boost Airborne Wireless, Internet’
The nation’s top telephone regulators on Tuesday further deregulated Internet phone services.
Via [news.com.com]
Continue reading ‘FCC Further Deregulates Net Calls’
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has twice in the last month moved to make broadcast spectrum available for advanced wireless services. At the same time, several cities have announced wireless initiatives, and companies have begun to shape themselves to be wireless broadband providers on the model of the cellular telephone industry.
Via [commsdesign.com]
Continue reading ‘Regulators, Cities, Business Converge On Wireless Broadband’
FCC: Boston Airport Can’t Block Airline’s Wi-Fi
The Federal Communications Commission has released its ruling in a case involving Continental Airlines and the Massachusetts Port Authority. In July, the airline filed a petition with the agency after Massport ordered it to take down a Wi-Fi access point at its “President’s Club” frequent-flier lounge in Boston’s Logan International Airport, citing violations of Continental’s lease.
According to the FCC, the lease terms were “unreasonably” prohibitive. Massport, it said, had no right to make that instruction because the airline observed rules concerning on-the-air reception devices, or OTARD: the antenna was within the prescribed standards on measurement, use and location.
In a statement accompanying FCC’s 23-page decision, Democratic Commissioner Michael Copps said the ruling “clarifies that American consumers and businesses are free to install Wi-Fi antennas under our OTARD rules–meaning without seeking approval from their landlords–just as they are free to install antennas for video programming and other fixed wireless applications.”
Naturally, Continental welcomed the decision and called it a “resounding victory to the airline and for consumers.” Massport, on the other hand, was disappointed with the news, adding that it is now mulling its options, including pursuing further legal action.
Via [news.zdnet.com]
Continue reading ‘FCC: Boston Airport Can’t Block Airline’s Wi-Fi’