Weekly interest and loan rates | Northwest stock contest 2003 Tax tips | Consumer affairs | Home values

Wireless Internet frequencies to expand

By Jonathan D. Salant
The Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said the action would mean an 80 percent boost in the amount of spectrum that these wireless networks could use to connect computers and other electronic devices to the Internet.

"Wireless broadband is increasingly a reality in the marketplace," FCC Chairman Michael Powell said.

The Media Access Project said the new frequencies are not powerful enough to handle long-range broadband connections through lightly populated rural areas. Harold Feld, associate director of the watchdog group, said the frequencies instead will be used by Wi-Fi providers, which allow users in a small area to access the Internet with wireless connections.

"This works great for short-range, low-power Wi-Fi connections that don't need to go through walls or trees," said Feld, calling on the government instead to open up lower frequency bands for wireless providers.

The new frequencies are in the 5-gigahertz range on the radio spectrum, much higher than the frequencies used by commercial radio and television stations. The move was supported by such high-technology heavyweights as Microsoft and Intel.

Copyright © 2003 The Seattle Times Company