White spaces standards are here. Next up: devices! [GigaOM]
The group responsible for the wi-fi standard, the Insititute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), published a new standard this week called 802.22TM-2011. But rather than a new variant of wi-fi, this new standard is set to pave the way for white space broadband.
The idea of white space broadband resulted from the transition of analog television broadcast signals to digital. That change provided for gaps in the broadcast television spectrum that could be utilized for other purposes. Last year the FCC adopted rules for the use of television white space for broadband. And now the IEEE has created a standard that electronics manufacturers can use to create devices that will be interoperable for white space broadband.
Because the frequencies in the television spectrum can travel long distances and through structures, the IEEE's white space standard has a theoretical maximum of transmitting 22 Mbps broadband up to 100 kilometers.
This technology requires the use of devices connected to a FCC-approved database of TV stations in order to prevent white space devices from interfering with TV broadcasts.
@ Robert Dobbs
True but that is 22 Mbits per channel
Posted by: Paul Templeton | Monday, August 01, 2011 at 02:22 PM
@ Paul Templeton
"Wow! Sounds like this may be great news for rural areas."
The 22 Mbits is shared.
Posted by: Robert Dobbs | Monday, August 01, 2011 at 12:50 AM
Wow! Sounds like this may be great news for rural areas.
Posted by: Paul Templeton | Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 11:53 PM