October 2008

White space backers see new devices in a year

Opening unused US television channels to wireless devices, an idea endorsed by the Federal Communications Commission this week, could spark development of faster devices with features such as high-definition video within a year. Philips, Motorola Inc, Google Inc, and Microsoft Corp are among the companies that want the unused spectrum for a new generation of wireless devices. Other applications include what some experts call "Wi-Fi on steroids" -- faster, able to go farther, and more effective wireless networking in the home, including high definition video.However, cable operators, broadcasters and wireless phone companies oppose such unlicensed use, arguing that it would create interference and other technical problems.

NAB Claims Discrepancies in FCC Report

The National Association of Broadcasters is questioning whether support for "white space" devices is contradicted by key findings in a report from the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). Specifically, NAB pointed to what it called "the stark contrast" between the Executive Summary's upbeat endorsement of unlicensed devices that preceded a more pessimistic 149-page report released on Wednesday. Overall, NAB said, the optimistic tone of the Executive Summary of the FCC's OET evaluation "does not match the actual test results documented in the report, which clearly show that spectrum sensing is not a reliable technique." The NAB called on the FCC to seek public comment on the report before moving forward.

Will The FCC Create An ICANN for White Spaces?

[Commentary] Feld is generally pleased with the announcement by FCC Chair Kevin Martin that the exhaustive study of possible white spaces devices by the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) proves that the FCC can go to the next step and authorize both fixed and mobile unlicensed devices. But he's wondering who will control the database that will work to supplement sensing as a way to protect over-the-air broadcasting and operation of (legal?) wireless microphones. If the FCC administers this database, and makes it freely available online, then things will work fine.

AT&T to push wireless beyond mobile phones

AT&T is working on introducing wireless links in devices other than mobile phones. The biggest US mobile service will promote the inclusion of cellular links in everything from computers and digital cameras to car-navigation and entertainment systems.

NFL Network Looking To Avoid Punt To FCC ALJ

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he is hopeful that the league can restart negotiations with Comcast over carriage of the NFL Network before its carriage complaint goes before an FCC administrative law judge.

FCC Slaps Time Warner Cable, Cox On Switched Video

The Federal Communications Commission proposed to fine Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications for moving some channels from their broadcast lineups to switched digital video groups—rendering that programming inaccessible to non-operator-supplied devices like TiVo recorders. In notices issued Wednesday, the agency's Enforcement Bureau said Time Warner Cable Oceanic's Oahu and Kauai systems and Cox's Fairfax County, Va., system last fall "apparently willfully violated" federal rules requiring providers to make all video programming available to third-party consumer electronics that use CableCards. The bureau proposed to fine Time Warner Cable $40,000 and Cox $20,000 for the violations and to require both MSOs to issue refunds to any affected customers.

Could Recession Help Big Media?

Today's ugly media truth: Online advertising rates are falling. But so far it's hard to say how a recession will impact digital media. On one hand, the rate of online display ad spending has been slowing down. Though it reached $11.5 billion in the first half of this year, reports the Internet Advertising Bureau, the 15.2% growth rate that got the industry there was a lot slower than the rate seen in the first half of 2007, which was 27%. On the other hand, the slowing market may actually help, boosting traditional media's control over the digital media ecosystem by giving it an opportunity to buy smaller upstarts or watch them get crushed. Think about it this way: The digital businesses that may be hit hardest by a downturn aren't really media businesses at all. Instead, outfits like Facebook, Meebo, and Twitter provide fun tools and communications technologies for people who, when aggregated in one spot, may be worth a lot of ad dollars -- if they can actually grab them.

7 Reasons Why Broadcast Nets Need New Biz Models

There are seven categorical reasons why the broadcast television networks, and eventually their cable counterparts, will not survive with traditional business models. Formidable trends that are vexing industry executives and nipping at their revenues and earnings could collectively have an explosive impact in 2009. The changes afoot are more obvious than the economic outcome of content and advertising rapidly shifting from print, television and other static media to online and digital interactive platforms. New value ultimately lies in a continuous connection between consumers and producers of goods and services, between niche social communities and the providers of information, data and communications. Unlocking that value requires the creation and skillful execution of new business models and structures that could eventually be more lucrative for all concerned. The process begins with the owners of CBS, Fox, NBC and ABC identifying and acknowledging these irreversible change agents.

Bandwidth jumps on college campuses

Bandwidth and Internet connection speeds on most US college campuses increased significantly from 2006 to 2007, but the largest universities still have huge advantages in accessing high-performance networks. The Core Data Service Fiscal Year 2007 Report, conducted by the higher-education IT advocacy group EDUCAUSE, shows bandwidth gains at community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities with master's and doctoral programs. Total bandwidth at the 994 colleges and universities surveyed by EDUCAUSE has "increased significantly" since the 2006 survey was conducted, according to the report. Doctoral institutions saw the biggest gains, showing 60 percent more bandwidth. Bandwidth at bachelor's institutions was up 51 percent, and master's institutions increased by 32 percent. Two-year colleges had the smallest gains, with a 28-percent increase in bandwidth since 2006.

Digital Natives May Force Rethinking on Copyright, Privacy and Broadband

Digital natives are not a generation, like the baby boomers; they're a population. This is because when you were born (after 1980) is only a piece of the equation that qualifies you to be a digital native. Equally important is your access to and effective use of digital technology. For the last five or so years, popular media has been interested in digital natives: whether the media had such a specific, quirky term for these folks is another story.

Benton

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