Broadcasters fight proposal for Web over airwaves

[Azure]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/te...airwaves_N.htm

WASHINGTON — Television broadcasters on Monday launched an advertising campaign to fight a technology industry proposal to transmit high-speed Internet service over unused airwaves.


The National Association of Broadcasters, which is worried about possible interference with over-the-air TV programming, said TV spots will air in the Washington, D.C. area and print ads will run in Capitol Hill publications for several weeks.


The ad blitz is aimed against an initiative by a high-technology coalition that seeks federal regulatory approval for a prototype device that could transmit high-speed Internet, or broadband, service over unlicensed and unused TV spectrum, also known as "white spaces."


The technology coalition — which includes Microsoft, Google, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, EarthLink and Philips Electronics North America, a division of Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics NV — said the devices could make Internet service more accessible and affordable, especially in rural areas and also spur innovation.

Imagine....anyone who could watch TV with the ol' rabbit ears...go pick up high speed internet at speeds faster than what most of us have right now.

[Vulcan]

And here I thought it woud be the cable internet companies who would be up in arms. Also with highspeed internet OTA, you would probably have another option for phone service.