THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE\FCC unlocking high frequencies.Byline: Jeannie Aversa Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. Car radar to warn of approaching trouble. Wireless gadgets to control your appliances and security from an easy chair. Federal regulators are unlocking a vast, virtually unused portion of the public airwaves to make these and not yet imagined other commercial services available - and to open a window on the 21st century. It began in a little-noticed action last month as the Federal Communications Commission Federal Communications Commission (FCC), independent executive agency of the U.S. government established in 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications in the public interest. began delving in the segment of the public airwaves known in telecommunications lingo Lingo - An animation scripting language. [MacroMind Director V3.0 Interactivity Manual, MacroMind 1991]. as millimeter waves. Technically, the frequencies are located above 40 gigahertz - far past frequencies used for television, radio and cellular phones. "That's where the virgin territory is," explained Mike Marcus, the FCC's associate chief of technology. Because of their location on the spectrum band, the frequencies have extremely limited use compared with other frequencies. The waves can travel only short distances - about half a mile on a clear day - but can carry lots of information, including voice, video and data. Largely because of their limitations, companies have had little interest in using the frequencies for many years. Advances in technology have changed that. General Motors, Hewlett-Packard, AT&T and Apple are among companies exploring ways to apply the frequencies to new services and devices. "I think this is very definitely something that is going to be important to the marketplace and to people in their daily life," AT&T government affairs director Frank Mathewson said. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. information supplied by the companies to the FCC (1) (Federal Communications Commission, Washington, DC, www.fcc.gov) The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications including wire, cable, radio, TV and satellite. The FCC was created under the U.S. and described in interviews, possible uses include: Radar systems for cars to alert drivers to potential collisions. General Motors, Ford Motor Co., Chrysler Corp. and VORAD VORAD Vehicle Onboard Radar Safety Systems Inc. have filed comments with the FCC expressing interest in using millimeter wave technology in such a way. Wireless systems to make homes "smart" by controlling appliances, heating and cooling, security systems. High-capacity wireless links to connect computers within an office or communications systems from building to nearby building. Wireless links to connect phones, pagers and other communications devices throughout a college campus or airport. Video conferencing See videoconferencing. (communications) video conferencing - A discussion between two or more groups of people who are in different places but can see and hear each other using electronic communications. , telecommuting telecommuting, an arrangement by which people work at home using a computer and telephone, transmitting work material to a business office by means of a modem and telephone lines; it is also known as telework. and transmitting to doctors and institutions detailed medical information. |
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