Senators Urge FCC Take Action on White Space

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2010 – Yesterday Senators Kerry and Snowe sent a letter to the FCC urging them to open up the white space created after the DTV transition. They believe that this spectrum needs to be opened to help support the National Broadband Plan.

“The heart of the FCC’s broadband plan focuses on releasing the full potential of the nation’s spectrum as a platform for innovation and expanded low cost broadband,” said Senator Kerry.

Due to the high quality of the white space it is one of the best resources for wireless broadband.  The letter states: “TV white spaces remain a viable option for unlicensed use below 1 GHz and jump-starting a period of innovation that could equal or surpass what we have seen with Wi-Fi.  Due to the propagation characteristics of the frequencies, unlicensed broadband devices will be able to cover a far wider service area in rural areas than the range in which unlicensed devices operate today thus providing an opportunity to narrow the “digital divide” that unfortunately continues to exist.”

Senator Snow also stated  “The ‘white spaces’ spectrum provides an opportunity to reach these Americans and further bridge the ‘digital divide’ that unfortunately continues to exist today.”