October 29th, 2008
FCC commish: White Spaces could win 5-0
All five FCC commissioners may vote for white spaces. From left: Tate, Copps, Martin, Adelstein, McDowell.
Unless the FCC winds up delaying its vote on white space devices, scheduled for Nov. 4, it’s extremely likely to pass. Obviously Republican chairman Kevin Martin backs the plan. And in this article, Reuters reports that another Republican, Robert McDowell, is “very optimistic” it will pass.
I’m very optimistic. I think this could be a 5-to-0 vote. The order itself is a very tight box. Each device still has to be certified by the FCC.
The two Democrats on the commission, Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, are clearly in favor of expanded Internet, although as Dems they are probably susceptible to the pleading of the entertainment industry.
I haven’t seen any tippng of the hand from the remaining Republican, Deborah Taylor Tate, but McDowell seems to feel she’s on board.
Thus, Nov. 4 should be a doubly great election.
