Goldie Speak's: More than one big decision November 4th, 2008

As powerful as The Internet is, it can not defend it's self from being exploited by giant telecommunication corporations. There is a great opportunity for unused "old technolgy" to be the back bone of "new technology". Unused TV signals can be used for free wireless internet!

As a blogger, an advocate for The First Ammendment, civil rights and as citizen of The United States of America, Clark County and The City of Vancovuer I strongly urge you to make 3 phone calls today. Make 3 phone calls to keep the airwaves we are no longer going to be using for TV and open them up to be used by the people, not COMCASTIC CORPORATIONS.

Learn more from freepress.net:
On November 4, the Federal Communications Commission will decide whether to open the vacant public airwaves between TV channels -- called "white spaces" -- for high-speed Internet access.

After exhaustive study, the federal agency has found that we can open these unused airwaves for everyone. But there's a problem. The public interest has run up against powerful corporate lobby -- the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) -- which wants to keep white spaces all to themselves. Continue...

Learn about unused spectrum between the TV channels "It's like Wi-Fi on Steroids":




If you do make calls leave a comment and let me know how it went. Please leave a comment if you have questions about this issue. Please note, this is an issue that is intrinsic to blogging and information sharing.
-- Sincerely, Goldie Davich

Give your elected official a call today!

Senator (R-Oregon) Gordon Smith
Phone: (202) 224-3753 / (503) 326-3386

Senator (D-Oregon) Ron Wyden
Phone: (202) 224-5244 / (503) 326-3386

Representative (D-Oregon) Earl Blumenauer
Phone: (202) 225-4811 / (503) 231-2300

Senator: (D-Washington) Patty Murray
Phone: (202) 224-2621 / (206) 553-5545

Senator: (D-Washington) Maria Cantwell
Phone: (202) 224-3441 / (206) 220-6400

Representative (D-Brian Baird)
Phone: (202) 225-3536 / (360) 695-6292

Here is a script I wrote for myself and others to use:

Hello (you are more than likely going talk to a staffer or machine),

My name is ___________. I am from _____________. I am calling to ask Ms/Mr___________ to write to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin urging him to open white spaces for the public good.

• I want to urge Ms/Mr_____________ to make sure the Federal Communications Commission does not further delay a set of new rules that would open up the empty television channels -- often referred to as "white spaces" -- for innovative broadband services.

• The FCC must act now to give back our airwaves for much needed broadband services that would help bridge the digital divide, lower broadband costs for consumers, and jump-start our economy through new investment in technology.

• The FCC has scheduled a vote on this issue for Nov. 4th. Please urge the FCC Chairman to stick to this date and open up the TV white spaces. Thank you.

• (if it's not voicemail) Are you familiar with the term white spaces?

(very important -- VERIFY THAT THE STAFFER KNOWS WHAT 'white spaces' are and if they are clear about why you are calling. I just talked to Cantwell's office and they haven't received phone calls -- the guy didn't know what white spaces are. Patty Murray has received some calls but the staffer allowed me to briefly explain some terms. Please feel free to ask them if anyone else has called about this issue. It's important to know if no one is calling. Nov. 4th is next week!)

If they answer yes:

1. I want to remind you and Ms/Mr.senator:Powerful cell phone companies are pushing the government to auction off white spaces licenses to the highest bidder. This would give the richest companies the exclusive right to determine how they are used. Broadcasters might simply sit on a white space license to prevent others from accessing the public airwaves; a major cell phone company won't use the spectrum to compete with its existing businesses, keeping prices high and stifling innovation.
   
   
2. Again, The FCC has scheduled a vote on this issue for Nov. 4th. Please urge the FCC Chairman to stick to this date and open up the TV white spaces. Thank you.
   

If they answer no:

1. 1. "White spaces" are empty frequencies between television channels. You may have heard about how we are moving from analog television to all digital. These empty frequencies have the potential to connect millions to the information superhighway. The powerful broadcasting lobby would rather hoard this spectrum for themselves
   
   
2. Again, The FCC has scheduled a vote on this issue for Nov. 4th. Please urge the FCC Chairman to stick to this date and open up the TV white spaces. Thank you.
   
   
   Read More about this issue:
   
   Wireless Innovation Alliance
   Net Neutrality