I came across an interesting article on www.Forbes.com last week. The article, Broadcasting: Does Open-Source Software Make the FCC Irrelevant describes the efforts of Columbia Law School Professor Eben Mogles to open up the radio spectrum to everyone through the use of intelligent radios and computer networks. The technology, he wrote, would allow anybody to use the spectrum without causing interference. It also quotes him as saying, "My goal is to do all of the work it takes to be explaining to the Supreme Court in 2025 why broadcasting is unconstitutional."
The Forbes article says open-source software is a threat to established broadcasters. It can be used to create low powered "mesh networks" that can locate unused frequencies and transmit on them. It mentions the efforts of the GNU Radio project, which I've written about before, to develop "a new generation of radios and TV receivers that can use software for just about everything except the antenna and the power source."
Read Broadcasting: Does Open-Source Software Make the FCC Irrelevant for more information on Eben Mogles' efforts and comments from NAB and others who disagree with his position.
