FCC vote on broadcast “white spaces” opens door to smart grid technologies

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In a unanimous vote the FCC this week opened up the unused television broadcast spectrum referred to as “white spaces” for wireless networking. White spaces are the broadcast channels not being used due to the switchover from analog to digital TV last year. Compared to standard wireless networks with limited range, PC World suggests white space networking is like “Wi-fi on steroids” with a range of several miles and the ability to travel through walls. We wrote not long ago about a trial using TV white spaces for smart grid technologies in northern California. With a service area that includes the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative teamed with Google and Spectrum Bridge to see if white spaces can help overcome technical challenges with wireless coverage to enable smart grid technologies.

Quick Take: There’s reason for cheering, especially if you’re a utility in a rural area with challenging terrain. And even if that's not the case, white spaces provide utilities yet another option for smart grid communications ... better too many choices than too few.

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