The FCC are proposing widespread access to what they call super Wi-Fi Networks in which users will be able to connect to a wifi network from virtually any part of a city or rural area. What makes super Wi-Fi such a big deal in my opinion is how it will effect mobile phone companies and service. With so many people using voice over ip services such as Skype, this will make mobile voice plans pretty much obsolete. Why would you pay 50+ dollars for a calling plan when you can pay $5 a month for voipand super Wi-Fi Internet at a fraction of the cost.
Super Wi-Fi can reach about 2 -3 miles and can also travel through walls , regular wifi cannot travel such a distance without massive amplification antennas. The old Wi-Fi travels at shorter frequency while super wifi will broadcast at television signal frequencies. A few super Wi-Fi hot spot will be able to provide adequate service to a small downtown area but developments for such service is still a few years away, nonetheless it is highly possible. The FCC is already testing the concept of super Wi-Fi in a few places.
The commission says the technology has been used to bring broadband Internet to a school in rural Claudeville, Virginia, to add a public Wi-Fi network in Wilmington, North Carolina, and obtain data about the “smart grid” electricity infrastructure in Plumas County, California.
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October 28, 2010 at 5:06 pmI hope this pans out…it will finally give the mobile companies something to sweat about.