New Battle Over White Space

Looks like industry has come to recognize that there is value in those slivers of 700mhz space. Several groups are not angling to grab hold of it if they can. –

Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA Inc. urged the Federal Communications Commission to embrace a plan to allocate vacant TV channels — known as white spaces — on a fixed-licensed basis for wireless backhaul services. The move injects a new element into an already fiery debate between high-tech groups that want the propagation-rich spectrum for Wi-Fi and a broadcasting industry fearful of interference to digital transmissions.

“Because backhaul comprises a significant cost for wireless carriers, and incumbent local exchange carriers’ special-access charges are exorbitant, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile must find more affordable alternatives to the ILECS’s special-access offerings,” the No. 3 and No. 4 carriers told the FCC. “Despite this need, the amount of spectrum in the lower bands that is realistically available for the provision of wireless backhaul services has declined dramatically over the years. As wireless carriers expand the development of their 3G and 4G wireless networks, the need for reliable and cost effective backhaul will increase.”

Using the white space for wireless backhaul is useful. But there could be higher and more profitable uses.

Linky.