Dueling Wireless Bills Spark Confusion, Surprise

[SOURCE: Technology Daily, AUTHOR: David Hatch]
So why did both Senate Commerce Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Sen. George Allen (R-VA) introduce bills on wireless broadband last week? The bills are intended to spur the deployment of wireless broadband by utilizing unassigned or unused broadcast television spectrum called "white space." The measures would let unlicensed service providers operate on the frequencies before and after the nation's transition to digital television. A Commerce Committee staffer notes that multiple bills with varying approaches on a subject are not uncommon. The bills differ on how they would tackle potential interference with TV signals, a key concern of broadcasters. Sens Barbara Boxer (D-CA), John Kerry (D-MA) and John Sununu (R-NH) co-sponsored Sen Allen's bill. Sen Stevens' measure was filed without co-sponsors.
http://www.njtelecomupdate.com/lenya/telco/live/tb-MPIZ1140707295830.html

* Press release for Stevens bill: http://commerce.senate.gov/newsroom/printable.cfm?id=251754
* Press release for Allen bill: http://allen.senate.gov/?c=record&t=&record_id=5531