Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands

This document finalizes rules to make the unused spectrum in the TV bands available for unlicensed broadband wireless devices. This particular spectrum has excellent propagation characteristics that allow signals to reach farther and penetrate walls and other structures. Access to this spectrum could enable more powerful public Internet connections--super Wi-Fi hot spots--with extended range, fewer dead spots, and improved individual speeds as a result of reduced congestion on existing networks. This type of "opportunistic use" of spectrum has great potential for enabling access to other spectrum bands and improving spectrum efficiency. The Commission's actions here are expected to spur investment and innovation in applications and devices that will be used not only in the TV band but eventually in other frequency bands as well.