A few years ago I really started focusing on the concept of "White Space" and the future of wifi-mesh. It seemed so distant to figure out how the world would be able to access the Internet. Having moved to a rural district, I have been waiting to hear how our telecommunications companies will be able to provide high speed Internet to homes out here.
The concept of White Space involves using the broadcast signal left behind in the old analog cable television system. You know what this is also called? The American Broadcast System - meaning it is owned and regulated by the American public. White space is the spectrum that resides in the old analog systems of cable that have been "off" since we all moved to digital cable last year. These companies have been working on building systems to work in the white space spectrum
Short and sweet idea: Motorola, HP, Microsoft, Google and other manufacturers will have a product that will attach to your cable port in any room in your house that has a cable port. This product will create a wireless access point that can share the wireless spectrum through your home. Your neighbors will get these as well. Your neighborhood is now a wireless mesh. Your city is a mesh through your county. The more buildings with cable ports, the more opportunity to strengthen the mesh.
EVERY home in the United States with a cable drop is a potential customer for a white space access point. EVERY home!
The spectrum is the key and the FCC is starting to open up some more of this spectrum for development of applications.
Keep your eyes and ears open on "white space" tech. It is really interesting.
For those in rural areas, keep a watch on the FCC limiting the pipeline to certain areas. The web should be equal access for everyone no matter where they live. Internet neutrality is BIG in this discussion. Keep watch!
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