Microsoft's WhiteFi Proposal

Interesting article on Microsoft�s WhiteFi proposal which has the potential to deliver long-range, low cost wireless broadband using �whitespaces� (unused analogue TV spectrum).

http://www.hellkom.co.za/news/technology/523-Could-M...

Assuming the technology becomes viable in the next few years, are there any perceived barriers to it being deployed in the UK using the spectrum vacated as the UK digital TV switchover progresses towards total completion by 2012?
Anyone have any views on the likelihood of it happening here?

I think the likelihood will be practically zero. The bandwidth left behind by the removal of analogue TV will be sold off to the highest bidder, just as Band 1 and Band 3 were, when they were vacated by analogue 405 line TV.

In reply to a post by zebedeee:

I think the likelihood will be practically zero. The bandwidth left behind by the removal of analogue TV will be sold off to the highest bidder, just as Band 1 and Band 3 were, when they were vacated by analogue 405 line TV.

Yeah. More money for the coffers (or someone's back pocket at any rate). Did Ofcom ever agree to retain some of it for digital TV or was that just a pipe dream?

In reply to a post by Brigadier:

Interesting article on Microsoft�s WhiteFi proposal which has the potential to deliver long-range, low cost wireless broadband using �whitespaces� (unused analogue TV spectrum).

If its anything like analogue TV expect your connection to die in very hot weather or heavy rainy weather......

Or if you are lucky in the UK you may get a free chat session from some French person as the signal bounces into each other on a hot sunny day or late at night