"So, the question remains... When will you see the new Super Wi-Fi?" =as soon as someone figures out a way to make money from it.truenorth
The NAB has more influence that is should have. IMHO. And yes, I have worked a bit in broadcasting years ago. The broadcast industry puts its own ideas ahead of the public interest, logic and progress.
It is logical and in the public interest to improve the use of available spectrum space. We are not speaking here about spectrum used by military, police, fire aviation and safety. This is wasted space now more available after the TV stations went digital.
The weak reasoning the NAB had was based on nth old analog technology. The TV stations now have more spectrum than they know how to use. HD is not justified on old re-runs of 'I Love Lucy' or 'Leave it to Beaver' and other non HD TV shows. So by FCC rules, they have to either use the bandwidth or not use it. They can not just transmit a test pattern to hold the space for themselves. Those days are gone.
Under the FCC rules, when a station goes off the air, a non-licensed transponder can be used for wide area hotspots.
The real threat to commercial development is the fear that the rules will change again. And gain.
In Britain that are also doing tests with 'white space' Wi-Fi.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2171009/cambridge-trial-white-space-spectrum-improve-wifi
