The US is to free up unused bands of airwaves next month in a move that is expected to lead to the development of stronger wireless networks, often referred to as Wi-Fi on steroids, Julius Genachowski, dpa quoted the head of the Federal Communications Commission, as saying Monday. A formal decision will be made at a meeting of the FCC on September 23, Genachowski told the San Jose Mercury News. The freeing up of the spectrum would be the most significant release of airwaves for unlicensed use by the FCC since 1985, a move which led to the original development of Wi-Fi, Genachowski noted. The low frequency airwaves became available following the switch from analog to digital TV signals across the US last year. These frequencies allow signals to travel further and to pass more easily through walls, trees and other obstacles, and thus provide wider and more robust coverage at speeds rivaling those of a broadband cable modem. The move had been opposed by television broadcasters and users of wireless microphones, who feared that devices using the newly- available spectrum would interfere with their existing applications. But Genachowski said the new rules would include requirements for channel-scanning technologies and other methods to avoid interference. Companies like Microsoft, Google and Cisco lobbied heavily for the move. Microsoft is currently testing a prototype system that uses just two transmitters to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal over its 200 hectare campus. "Consumer demand for spectrum-hungry mobile devices is a very good thing, but it also creates infrastructure problems," Genachowski said in an interview with the Mercury News. "This is one of the most important things that we're working on." The US will be the first country to roll out the technology, which is also being considered by Britain, France and Brazil, according to Genachowski. Initially at least the new spectrum should lead to stronger home and business networking. But it is also likely to supplement or even replace cell-phone networks, improve connectivity to appliances and smart electric meters, and provide broadband access in rural networks.
