Press Release
Groups Call on NYC to Open Public Airwaves to New Technology
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
NEW YORK -- Community media, public interest and immigrant rights advocates are calling on the New York City Council to endorse "white spaces" technology that could boost the economy and drive down the cost of mobile phone calls and Internet access.
White spaces are the unused portions of the public airwaves between television channels. According to a study conducted by Free Press, one-fifth of New York City's television channels are currently not being used. New technology can use this vacant spectrum to send powerful, high-speed Internet signals -- connecting New Yorkers to a fast, open and affordable Internet.
"Opening the white spaces would close the digital divide, and it wouldn't cost us a dime -- or, rather, it would save us a lot more than a dime on what we're paying now for Internet access and cell phone service," said Joshua Breitbart, policy director of People's Production House.
The Federal Communications Commission is currently considering whether to open up the white spaces to the public. Engineers at the FCC, through extensive testing, have shown that low-power, mobile devices can utilize white spaces to connect to the Internet without interfering with TV broadcasts and wireless microphones on adjacent channels.
Lobbyists from the National Association of Broadcasters, cell phone carriers and wireless microphone companies have launched a misinformation campaign to prevent white spaces from being used to provide high-speed broadband access.
"Unfortunately, many key decision-makers simply lack the bandwidth to investigate the benefits of white spaces technology," said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press. "Instead they hear misinformation from industry lobbyists who come knocking with lies and spin meant to paint this technology as a danger to humanity."
A draft resolution currently before the City Council, sponsored by Councilmember Gale Brewer and Speaker Christine Quinn, claims white space devices would be "devastating" to Broadway productions. The City Council Committee on Technology in Government is holding a hearing on the resolution on Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, at 10 a.m., in the Committee Room of City Hall. It is a public forum where anyone can testify.
"White spaces could provide an affordable alternative for people like me who use expensive phone cards to call family and friends back home in other countries," said Abdulai Bah of Nah We Yone, a community group that advocates for African refugees in New York.
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People's Production House is a national media justice organization based in New York City. It provides young people, immigrants, and low-wage workers with a comprehensive education for the information age, combining media production, media literacy and media policy.
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
Nah We Yone is a community-based organization in New York City that advocates for refugees and asylum seekers from Africa.
White spaces are the unused portions of the public airwaves between television channels. According to a study conducted by Free Press, one-fifth of New York City's television channels are currently not being used. New technology can use this vacant spectrum to send powerful, high-speed Internet signals -- connecting New Yorkers to a fast, open and affordable Internet.
"Opening the white spaces would close the digital divide, and it wouldn't cost us a dime -- or, rather, it would save us a lot more than a dime on what we're paying now for Internet access and cell phone service," said Joshua Breitbart, policy director of People's Production House.
The Federal Communications Commission is currently considering whether to open up the white spaces to the public. Engineers at the FCC, through extensive testing, have shown that low-power, mobile devices can utilize white spaces to connect to the Internet without interfering with TV broadcasts and wireless microphones on adjacent channels.
Lobbyists from the National Association of Broadcasters, cell phone carriers and wireless microphone companies have launched a misinformation campaign to prevent white spaces from being used to provide high-speed broadband access.
"Unfortunately, many key decision-makers simply lack the bandwidth to investigate the benefits of white spaces technology," said Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press. "Instead they hear misinformation from industry lobbyists who come knocking with lies and spin meant to paint this technology as a danger to humanity."
A draft resolution currently before the City Council, sponsored by Councilmember Gale Brewer and Speaker Christine Quinn, claims white space devices would be "devastating" to Broadway productions. The City Council Committee on Technology in Government is holding a hearing on the resolution on Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, at 10 a.m., in the Committee Room of City Hall. It is a public forum where anyone can testify.
"White spaces could provide an affordable alternative for people like me who use expensive phone cards to call family and friends back home in other countries," said Abdulai Bah of Nah We Yone, a community group that advocates for African refugees in New York.
###
People's Production House is a national media justice organization based in New York City. It provides young people, immigrants, and low-wage workers with a comprehensive education for the information age, combining media production, media literacy and media policy.
Free Press is a national, nonpartisan organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, we promote diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, and universal access to communications. Learn more at www.freepress.net
Nah We Yone is a community-based organization in New York City that advocates for refugees and asylum seekers from Africa.
