White space spectrum and Sprint-Clearwire get the nod from the FCC

In two big election day victories, the FCC approved both the usage of the white space spectrum for mobile broadband access and the Sprint Clearwire joint venture to expand WiMAX coverage. w00t, w00t! The decision for the white space spectrum was unanimous with one partial dissent from Commissioner Deborah Tate. This is a big blow to the National Association of Broadcasters et al. who have been vehemently fighting the use of this spectrum and a big win for the likes of Google, Microsoft, and Dell who have rallied behind FCC Chairman Kevin Martin in his support of the usage of this spectrum. ln the Sprint-Clearwire vote, the FCC also unanimously gave the go ahead to the merger of Sprint’s XOHM division with Clearwire in a move that will jumpstart WiMAX deployment. So there you have it folks, two flavors of wireless broadband access got a giant boost from the FCC on Tuesday.

Read