The frequencies are already in use. Hospitals use them for heart monitors. Do you know what happened at Baylor U. Medical Center when WFAA signed on their DTV transitter? WFAA-DT shut down until the hospital spent $200,000 on new equipment. Networks and broadcasters also use the frequencies legally for wireless mikes.HIPAR said:
Many companies also sell wireless mikes and headsets that are on broadcast channels to theater groups, sports teams, and churches. It's not clear that such use is allowed under the current rules.
What is clear is that the current uses of the so called "white space" is threatenened by the new FCC proposal.
Recently the FCC has cracked down on illegal FM transmitters sold as part 15 devices. Both Sirius and XM Radio recalled products and redesigned their equipment due to wide bandwidth, excessive power, and operation below the FM band. Yet third party engineering companies had certified them as legal even though they weren't. Many FM transmitters for iPods have similar problems. The FCC was slow to address the issue.
The issue boils down to portability. If you find that a device works fine in your house, and you put it in your car, how will it know to turn off when your drive to another city? Can you bring it into a hotel room in another state without causing interference?
The FCC is asking if there are reasonable solutions to these problems. I believe that the FCC will approve such devices in spite of the interference that they will cause.
I hope that nobody dies.
