Microsoft To Deploy White Space Wireless Platform

Software giant Microsoft has announced plans to use so-called "TV white space" - the unused portions of spectrum between TV broadcasters' frequencies - to launch wireless broadband services to portions of rural America.

The plan is to launch pilot projects in 12 states next year that will deploy technology needed to make wireless internet service available.  The 12 states are Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.  However, Microsoft says it is NOT planning to become an ISP itself.

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"Our goal is not to enter the telecommunications business ourselves or even to profit directly from these projects," Smith wrote. "We will invest in the upfront capital projects needed to expand broadband coverage, seek a revenue share from operators to recoup our investment, and then use these revenue proceeds to invest in additional projects to expand coverage further." -- Brad Smith, Microsoft President

So far there are no details about exactly how Microsoft's proposed partnership with operators will work, but the development bears watching in the event that they decide to expand beyond the 12 pilot projects.

There are several good articles about the announcement available online. CLICK HERE to read Ars Technica's story.