Wireless Experts Say The Signal Is Clear For Whitespace

• Cambridge Consultants pinpoints three key growth sectors triggered by recent FCC decision

“The last time a significant allocation of spectrum was released was in 1985 when the 2.4GHz band was written off as ‘junk spectrum’ due to its relatively poor range and wall penetration abilities,” said Luke D’Arcy, head of cognitive radio at Cambridge Consultants.  “But this action led directly to Bluetooth™ and WiFi technology, both now at the heart of multi billion dollar businesses.  Similarly, the FCC decision is significant because it levels the playing field by making high quality spectrum available to all, and free of charge when it had previously cost billions, which will rapidly accelerate innovation in ways we can’t imagine today.  That being said, it took more than ten years for volume production technology to be developed to take advantage of the 2.4GHz band.  But our experience and IP tells us that this does not have to be the case for whitespace radio.”

The three key growth areas identified by Cambridge Consultants include: