White
space surrounding rural folks across Mississippi may be the solution to
closing our digital divide.
Well,
"white space refers to the unused broadcasting frequencies in the wireless
spectrum," according to techrepublic.com.
Huh?
Okay,
it's basically unused TV channels. Turns out TV channel frequencies below 700
Mhz function sort of like 4G so they can be used, with the right technology, to
deliver broadband internet.
Gov.
Phil Bryant has joined nine other governors in requesting the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) to reserve "at least three white space
channels in every U.S. market" to enable better access to broadband
internet for rural areas. This means they don't want the FCC to auction off
these frequencies but instead keep access to them open and free.
"Approximately
34 million of our nation’s citizens lack access to quality broadband services,
especially in underserved rural areas," said the governors' letter.
"Whether it’s students trying to research a topic at home or entrepreneurs
launching a business, the digital divide should not limit any citizen’s ability
to learn, innovate, or connect to the numerous advantages enabled by robust
internet access."
Turns
out Microsoft developed technology that at any U.S. location can sort
through the FCC's state-by-state database of used TV frequencies, bind three of
them together, and provide access to high capacity broadband. The good thing
about white space TV channels compared to cellular frequencies is their far
reach, e.g., Mississippi ETV can cover the whole state with just eight towers.
Microsoft
has reportedly opened up its patents to allow any broadband providers to use the technology.
Meanwhile,
TV broadcasters say they will need those channels, especially to implement new
ATSC 3.0 advanced transmission standard, according to Multichannel News.
However, a growing national initiative is promoting the benefits
of TV white space access to broadband for rural areas. It's called Connect
Americans Now (CAN). Mississippi's Delta Council has joined up.
"Staying
competitive in the modern farm economy takes more than good weather and
a strong back,” said Darrington Seward, a farmer from Louise and a member
of the Delta Council. “A broadband connection opens up a new world of
technologies, like remote soil sensors and targeted irrigation, helping to
increase yields, lower costs and conserve resources. And just like any other
small business, the opportunity to shop online for affordable equipment and
access customers all over the world can be a game changer. I’m excited see
Connect Americans Now pressing ahead on solutions that will expand broadband
access throughout rural Mississippi and help close the digital divide once and
for all.”
Sen.
Roger Wicker, who joined Seward at a town hall meeting in Jackson put on by CAN,
commented, "I am encouraged by this new partnership to help close the
digital divide. Connecting more Mississippians to high-speed internet is
essential to our state’s economic future.” Last year Wicker introduced
legislation to speed up access to broadband for rural residents.
Public Service Commission Chairman Brandon Presley likes the idea for
telemedicine and rural clinics.
Others see it as a boon for rural small businesses. That’s something
economic developers for four, rural east Mississippi counties were yearning
for recently.
Maybe this is the solution they, and we, need.
Crawford
(crawfolk@gmail.com) is a syndicated
columnist from Meridian.
16 comments:
High altitude drones will be delivering rural broadband long before any of this is relevant.
Low throughput (< 14 Mbps) and limited range (7 miles max from antenna). Doesn't scale on network side of service. Won't go anywhere without massive subsidization by Uncle Sugar.
Yea this is a waste of time. The FCC might as well auction those freqs. Satellites is going to help the rural broadband issue shortly and you'll have at least 3 competitors to keep the pricing fair.
there is already satellite available (and has been for 10-15 years) and it's latency issues are too much to overcome for broadband
I only get 1 bar (or zero) on ATT in Washington County. What will help?
Also, will drones make cell towers obsolete?
IF the damn FCC and this new wave of millennial hippies will stay out of the way, there willing be unbelievable investments in network options over the next decade. But too many people are trying to put the feds in control. What idiot wants to invest in a government controlled market? Net Neutrality put network investment back a good 5-8 years
So this fucking forum is uber PC? There is something non-PC with saying "Obama phone?"
SNOWFLAKE! GET TO YOUR COMFORT ZONE!
Someone must have reached out to Crawford after watching him carry the water for another crap shoot technology (aka Kemper).
No company will invest in rural areas unless there is some government involvement.
5:58 = small minded government bureaucrat
Thought I saw somewhere that somebody is working on using commercial aircraft criss-crossing the skies as a source.
Unless companies are forced or paid by the government to provide services to areas they don't want to, they won't. I live in a non-rural subdivision that has no broadband and it is solely because the developer screwed a utility and now neither ATT nor a cable provider will service my area. Satellite, which I had when I lived in an actual rural area, only works for some homes in my neighborhood, mine not among them. I'm backed by a very large, federally owned preserve. Great for privacy, bad for technology.
12:11....that's actually the problem...assuming the government has to step in to fix all our problems. They will assuredly apply last century's solutions to next year's issue. The marketplace is going to find a way to supply rural areas with internet. There are many concepts on the drawing board. The biggest obstacle is the fear that if they deploy capital that there will be no return because the government may step in and change the rules.
The reason the internet grew so fast in the first place is the pledge that congress made in the 90s to stay hands off. The reason deployment has slowed recently is because of this populist concept of government run internet, aka net neutrality.
6:37, right. I'm not lamenting the government's non-interference in my situation just stating the only way to force availability is by force or coercion. It's not the FCCs job to make sure I get Internet in my neighborhood, it's mine through my weak as water HOA. The data signal on my phone isn't strong enough to stream Netflix but can occasionally power my computer and printer via hotspot. Otherwise I can conduct most online activity through my phone. The current push for mandated access is likened to the mandated landline phone access of days past but shouldn't be. Internet access is not a life safety factor. Dialing 911 is.
Give up commenting about Obamaphones. They have nothing to do with this post.
...I just wish I could get something faster than my AT&T 1.5 Mbps DSL circuit....
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