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June 28, 2004
FCC rules that landlords can't control uses of unlicensed spectrum
From Computer Weekly:
Airlines won a key battle in their fight with airports over control of the Wi-Fi spectrum when the US Federal Communications Commission ruled that it has 'exclusive jurisdiction' over the use of unlicensed spectrum.Airports such as Logan International in Boston, which is run by the Massachusetts Port Authority, contended they had the right to manage spectrum within their boundaries to eliminate interference.
Massport and Denver International Airport have installed shared-use Wi-Fi networks offering paid public internet access, as well as access for the airlines.
But the airport operators wanted to require the airlines to pay to use the networks for wireless bag scans, check-in systems and other applications.
Good news for the continued buildout of user-capitalized networks...
Posted by Clay Shirky at June 28, 2004 10:27 PM
The reality is that it is precisely land-owner control that has led to the proliferation of Wi-Fi.
FCC rules aren't the sole enabler of successful wireless broadband deployments in places like Carnegie Mellon, it’s the land-owner's administration of the network, including the ability to manage what devices are emitting.