Fcc Unveiling Sweeping National Broadband Plan

[jdmidwest]

FCC unveiling sweeping national broadband plan this week. I was hoping it would speed up my internet since AT&T has failed to. Looks like it may be a more sinister plan to control the communications industry.

First, they are trying to get TV stations to give up their over the air FREE digital broadcasts and leave us with only cable or satellite signals. We lost alot last year when the Analog signals were terminated. My radio I use when the power is out to receive local TV News and Reports is useless now. And it would mean that Americans would be at the mercy of the pay for signal cable and satellite companies to receive what is now considered a staple in American households. When I grew up, we watched all of our TV for free, how much do you pay for the crap now? What is next, RADIO?

Second, if the government controls the only communication means, will we ever have any choice on what we want to watch?

FCC Plan for Broadband

[Thom]

Quote: "When I grew up, we watched all of our TV for free, how much do you pay for the crap now? What is next, RADIO?"

YOu are misinformed. The sky is not falling. I know several poeople that pay absolutely nothing for their digital tv broadcaasts and with a simple analog converter subsided by govt recieve more channels than they did before analog signals were eliminated or should I say reasigned. The old analog receivers still work fine. Actually under the new plan proposed there will be more free digital TV stations. That is why the broadcasters are screaming foul.

If you read the complete report you would discover that the government would actually provilde more access to independent and less expensive tv broadcasats to librarys, schools and rural areas that have no access or limited access now.

What sinister plot????? no additional power to govt control is being proposed at all. It will actually take the power away from the charters, at&t etc from forcing you to use their systems without a choice.

BTW when the power is off and I want to watch tv or hear a radio I simply plug my old analog TV or any radio into a power inverter and watch away with a 12v battery. Works great. I watched a ballgame last summer that way and also had a small lamp burning at the same time. Cost of the inverter 40 dollarsa and the battery is my spare lawnmower battery.

[jdmidwest]

The new plan calls for TV stations to give up the Over the Air frequencies for the Broadband. This means your antenna will be worthless and you will have to subscribe to cable or satellite. Read the article!

[Justin Spencer]

We (living in a river valley) lost all free TV when we switched to digital. Can no longer get any signal whereas before we had at least a few stations, and that is with a 30' aerial. I know in our area digital cable has screwed alot of people. I looked on the national map and it says that we might get one station on a weak signal in our area. I'm sure broadband would be the same for us. We are just hoping DSL will make it out here someday. I'm too lazy to read the article, but unless they can make the signal more powerful it won't matter to those of us living deep in the hills.

[back2roots]

Parts of the FCC ruling do include the 900 MHz band which absolutely DOES have a major impact with broadcasters (TV and radio). The broadband ruling, according to many IP providers, will NOT improve or provide the high speed internet access that is touted. Also, the FCC "bought" the 698-700 MHz band to be re-allocated to "government" agencies. Turns out most of the frequency groups were sold to industries for cellular type devices....not much of anything for Homeland Security & Medical. How do I know.....I sell wireless and broadcast gear. I see the industry-wide scramble going on every day. Sorry Thom....in the long run, JD will most likely be proven right.

Bill