Gadgets Blog » FCC Clears up Airspace for Super Wi-Fi

Although it’s a regulatory agency and therefore not responsible for innovation in the field of electronics, few organizations of any sort carry the same amount of influence over technology than the FCC, or Federal Communications Commission. The government agency has overseen the development and implementation of a variety of technological advancements since its creation in 1934, as radio, television, and then the Internet became widespread means of communication. Last week, however, the FCC made an announcement that’s extraordinarily forward-thinking, and could be an indicator of what’s to come in the world of gadgets.

The FCC has opened up the broadcasting spectrum between 50 mhz and 700 mhz, setting aside this range for “super WiFi,” what will likely be the next major development in the world of computing. Initially, this range was used to broadcast television channels to receivers all across the country, but the advent of digital television has made this obsolete. Now, it’s possible that WiFi signals will use this range instead. Super WiFi routers would be able to reach for miles. This signal range is capable of going through walls and other obstacles with ease, greatly expanding the capabilities of WiFi reception.

While the technology hasn’t made its way onto shelves yet, the announcement was met with positive reception from several major computing companies such as Google and Microsoft. According to one Google spokesman, the exciting part of the announcement was how forward-thinking the FCC showed themselves to be. By implementing a regulation such as this now, long before the technology is actually in place, companies will be able to freely develop “white space networks,” which are broadcast channels operating where they do not overlap with preexisting channels.

The main benefit of Super WiFi will initially be range, as speeds will hover at around 15 to 20 mbs in the early stages of development. Obviously, the end-goal here is for accessibility, and the potential for Super WiFi on a large scale is tremendous. As the Internet continues to spread, and becomes accessible more and more easily, what will be the long-run effects? The Internet has the capability to take on the role of other forms of telecommunications. Super WiFi could be one more nail in the coffin of conventional, 20th century media.

Image Source: flickr.com/photos/gregelin/4438707736/

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