Remember flipping on an analog TV and noticing static in between the television channels? That’s exactly what leading technology and wireless companies are looking to put to use in an effort to deliver fast reliable internet connectivity to millions of Americans who currently lack high-speed broadband access.

Photo by Joao Marcelo Marques on Unsplash

 

In more technical terms, TV white space refers to the unused gaps between active TV channels in the VHF and UHF spectrum bands. In the past, these buffer channels have helped prevent interference between adjacent channels but luckily, thanks to advancements in technology, these spaces are no longer needed. Over the past decade, several studies have concluded that this unused spectrum buffer can be repurposed to beam broadband to communities while operating harmoniously with broadcast television channels.  

 

In 2010, the FCC began to explore rules that would allow wireless broadband services to use these spaces. This would unleash a new swath of spectrum with great coverage. Think about it: TV signals have to travel really far. This is a great start, but the FCC is working to make even more efficient use of this spectrum and connect more people. 

 

In February of this year, the FCC unanimously issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would update the FCC’s rules regarding white spaces to allow for “more robust service and efficient use of white space devices, particularly in rural areas, without increasing the risk of harmful interference to protected services in the TV bands.”

 

Rural communities across the United States often lack quality broadband as Internet Service Providers find it difficult and costly to connect sparsely populated rural areas. White space technology stands to help provide connectivity to these areas by utilizing a low power frequency that is able to penetrate obstacles such as mountainous terrain and heavily wooded regions.

 

In April, Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Angus King (I-ME) drafted a joint statement to the FCC expressing their support for TV white space technology to help close the digital divide in their predominantly rural states. The senators wrote, “by updating its TVWS spectrum rules, the Commission would allow for more flexibility and uses of TVWS technology enabling greater broadband opportunities like the Internet of Things (IoT) and better broadband service coverage by increased antenna height and power, while also protecting licensed incumbents.” the senators told the FCC. 

 

Microsoft is working on a plan called the Rural Airband Initiative that would deliver broadband to millions of Americans in underserved communities. According to Microsoft, its wireless spectrum signals can travel over six miles and connect residents in various geographic regions. 

 

During these uncertain times, the need for Internet access to work and learn has never been greater. Roughly 23 million Americans in rural communities lack quality broadband. The FCC has done great work thus far to help close the digital divide. We encourage the Commission to move forward with its plans to unlock this valuable spectrum and put it to use for millions of American consumers.