Startup ASA Networks is Bullish on TV White Spaces Broadband

New York City-based startup company ASA Networks sees great potential for TV white spaces technology.

The wireless Internet service provider is currently trialing the technology in Gallatin, a rural area in upstate New York, and plans to expand service to other communities in the future.

“We have it working and it works for non-line of sight,” said Joe Plotkin, director of marketing for ASA Networks. When Plotkin and colleagues made a presentation about TV white spaces equipment at an upstate event prior to making their white spaces plans “we were swamped by town supervisors and county executives saying ‘help us,’” said Plotkin.

In communities like Gallatin the only way of accessing the Internet until now has been via spotty DSL and cellular service, Plotkin said. Plotkin was apparently talking about the upcoming voluntary TV broadcast spectrum auction which will enable broadcasters to relinquish spectrum in exchange for sharing in the auction proceeds. The band plan for that spectrum band has not yet been determined -- and a key issue is how much of the spectrum will be available for unlicensed use.