White Space Spectrum

[Brent]

Victor Mendonça wrote:
> Do you think that by the fact that we are behind on migrating from analog to digital that it might interfere on when we'll start seeing these devices around here? 
>
> I've read a couple of articles claiming that "White Space" devices might start appearing beginning of 2009 (see link bellow). I would think that it will be hard to keep them from coming over the border. 
>
> http://www.betanews.com/article/White_space_devices_might_appear_in_2009_if_FCC_directive_is_clear/1224190240
>
>
>   
Get your hats out boys and girls,

this is just tailor made for the Canadian scene. There is no mandated 
switch to digital TV in Canada as the Canadian government is giving the 
broadcast industry time to roll out new "business models". They will 
bring out their fully digital TV just as soon as they have everyone 
trained to buy or lease "locked" receivers (very much like the cell 
phone providers, yes?) that give them a captive market. You want the 
service? Buy the box, OK? Oh, you want choice? Buy another box. Pretty 
good argument from their stand point. There is competition out there, 
you just have to pay for it. Imagine that, paying for 
competition....what a concept.

The new copyright legislation, when it is re-introduced, will use that 
same "business model" argument to justify the "technological measures" 
provisions. I was invited to a round table discussion with local MP Mike 
Lake just before the election call.  After much grilling about music 
downloads, streaming, advances in digital technology (vis vis format 
shifting, media servers and online content storage), and locked 
cellphones all MP Lake could do was parrot the need for new "business 
models" for the holders of copyright.
(He also repeated, I actually lost count of how many times, the 
assertion that the proposed act was balanced with respect to fair use.)

You may very well be able to import white space devices from the US in 
the two year intervening period but my guess is that if you try to use 
them you may be subject to charges of interfering with the broadcast 
signal of a local TV provider and you will most definitely run afoul of 
some budding entrepreneur who has (locked)  toys of his own to peddle in 
the "free" market.

The only thing free about our market is the freedom of vendors and 
suppliers to flog proprietary devices and content to consumers who have 
no choice what so ever.

Got any extra foil Rene, perhaps some of the heavy duty kind? I feel a need.

Bremt