[LINK] Initiative expands wireless coverage to 98% of Americans, reduces deficit by nearly $10 billion, invests in nationwide public safety network

[Richard Chirgwin]

On 12/02/11 3:12 PM, David Boxall wrote:
> On 12/02/2011 11:32 AM, Marghanita da Cruz wrote:
>>> Initiative expands wireless coverage ...
> Hmmm .. If we move onto the NBN a substantial part of what's currently
> broadcast, could the spectrum be used for mobile Internet? The longer
> wavelengths might cause problems, but they'd certainly propagate well.
>
> I reckon 'net access would be a better use of the spectrum than reruns
> of /The Dukes of Hazzard/.
>
It would, except that the spectrum auction model seems to me likely to 
deliver services at a price higher than on fixed BB.

The spectrum is still limited in what it can deliver, especially if we 
ramp up distances, because (a) speed is lower at longer distances, and 
(b) the further you are from the base station, the bigger the beam, so 
you get less re-use of any individual "slice" of the spectrum.

I'm in favour of wireless for the applications it best suits, but not as 
a panacea.

Finally, keep in mind that "we" (ie people of a particular set of 
technical expectations and preferences) remain a minority. Whether or 
not TV is in decline is another debate, but right now, a / the majority 
of people still watch TV.

RC