SBI Supports the FCC's Broadband Plan

On March 16th, the FCC fulfilled its Congressional mandate with the long awaited release of the National Broadband Plan (NBP). The plan specifies a number of goals and objectives to meet the nation’s broadband needs over the next ten years. A number of the recommendations relate to spectrum and the use of wireless technology in support of these goals. Spectrum Bridge is uniquely positioned to provide the technology and solutions to support these recommendations.

RECOMMENDATION 4.1 states “the federal government, including the FCC, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Congress, should make more spectrum available for existing and new wireless broadband providers in order to foster additional wireless-wireline competition at higher speed tiers.”

SBI’s Spectrum Exchange creates a single point for anyone to locate and access available spectrum, helping to foster competition in the industry, while allowing for better utilization of bandwidth through a multitude of spectrum allocation solutions.

RECOMMENDATION 5.7 states “the FCC should evaluate the effectiveness of its secondary markets policies and rules to promote access to unused and underutilized spectrum.”

The FCC should complete its assessment of potential barriers by the end of 2010; however, today Spectrum Bridge is uniquely positioned to help the FCC in this goal, as we already are the “biggest and best secondary marketplace for spectrum”, as defined by our innovative Spectrum Exchange tool.

RECOMMENDATION 5.12 in section 5.6 states “the FCC should move expeditiously to conclude the TV white spaces proceeding.” Additionally, Spectrum Bridge’s wireless network architecture technology was referenced “to provide broadband service to a school in rural Virginia and are currently being used for demonstration of a wireless broadband network in Wilmington, North Carolina.”

Stay up to date with SBI's future white space network deployments as we continue to explore new applications for TV White Spaces spectrum to help support the FCC's goals.

RECOMMENDATION 5.13 states “the FCC should spur further development and deployment of opportunistic uses across more radio spectrum.”

SBI’s use of cognitive networking technology to more effectively access, acquire and manage wireless spectrum and network assets supports the FCC’s vision. Otherwise known as Universal Spectrum Access (USA), our solution provides access to bandwidth through available networks within the range of their device whether using a Smartphone, netbook, or laptop.

With technology becoming an everyday part of our lives, nationwide broadband access is becoming more critical. As FCC Chairman Genachowski mentions in this interview with CitizenTube, broadband is a key infrastructure for the 21st century. The FCC’s bold vision for the future of broadband validates the core concepts that have driven our own innovations here at Spectrum Bridge. Our cognitive networking technology provides the capability to increase the availability and access to spectrum and network resources while optimizing the allocation of bandwidth within the network gives our customers an effective tool for their next generation wireless needs.

The FCC’s vision for the future of broadband is a major turning point for our industry, as demands for this finite resource continue to grow by leaps and bounds, it is encouraging to see the government address the broadband needs of our country to help foster innovation, productivity and growth. As the plan awaits scrutiny from Congress, and new rulemakings go into effect over the coming months in response to the plan’s recommendations, we look forward to utilizing our tools and resources to help implement the long term goals of the FCC.

- Joe Hamilla, COO

Alternative Spectrum Solutions - Providing Nationwide Broadband Access

Among the flurry of discussion surrounding the FCC’s National Broadband Plan to be released next week, two issues as previously outlined by Julius Genachowski, chairman of the FCC, have received a great deal of attention within the industry. The first being the goal of boosting national access speeds to 100 Mbps for 100 million homes by 2020, and the second goal of freeing up 500 MHz of spectrum over the next decade by allowing broadcast television stations to sell some of their spectrum for mobile broadband purposes. While neither has been set in stone, the costs associated with these goals have been enough to spark heated discussions and commentary on blogs and articles over the past few weeks.

In an article from 4GWE, the estimated combined costs of these goals will take an investment of up to $500 billion. While this is no small number, the benefits of these two aspects of the plan are enormous – bringing broadband capabilities to every corner of the country will provide new opportunities to millions of Americans. Broadband has become a necessity in this day and age to enable more Americans to stay connected to the ever-changing world around them. However, as found in the Broadband Adoption and Use in America study by the FCC, 35% of Americans do not have broadband at home, with the top reason for non-adoption being cost – whether it be the cost of services, computers, installation fees, or a combination of all three.

TV White Spaces now for your Android phone

Announcing the TV White Spaces application for the Android! You can now find out what TV White Spaces channels are available wherever you are – directly from your Android phone – for free.

Created by Spectrum Bridge, “ShowMyWhiteSpace” is the first Android application for locating available TV White Spaces channels anywhere in the US.

Click here to read more on TV White Spaces and you can download our app by searching Spectrum Bridge.

Or...

Scan the barcode or the “QR” code. To do this, download the “Barcode Scanner” application (search barcode). Once installed, launch the program and you will see a red line appear on your phone. Move back and forth from your computer screen until the barcode comes into focus. Once the code is read, a notification will appear saying found URL. Click the “open browser” button and it will bring the ShowMyWhiteSpaces application up in the Android Market.

Dont have an Android? Dont worry, the free "ShowMyWhiteSpace" iPhone app was released by Spectrum Bridge last month. Click here for details.

“White Spaces” Takes Over Wilmington, NC: ABC Video

As previously mentioned in recent blogs, the city of Wilmington and New Hanover County in North Carolina are now using “white spaces” frequencies to benefit the community. The video below was shot at the network launch press conference in Wilmington on February 24th, 2010

(click on the graphic below to watch the video)

In the video, Wilmington Mayor, Bill Saffo points out: “One thing we have been talking about in this country is to make sure that all of our citizens have access to the internet, and this will give us the opportunity to do that.”

Although the story is titled "White Spaces" Takes Over Delaware," in this case it is Wilmington North Carolina, not Delaware as stated.