N.C. county boasts super Wi-Fi network for public

The Associated Press
© January 27, 2012

WILMINGTON, N.C.

The North Carolina city that became the first in the country to switch to all-digital television is using some of the broadcast spectrum vacated by TV stations for a publically available, super wireless Internet service.

New Hanover County says it has launched the world's first commercial white spaces network. The technology allows wireless signals to pass through walls and trees that would block most Wi-Fi service.

The Federal Communications Commission's Alan Stillwell says the technology will allow wireless services to reach rural areas where telephone and cable companies don't offer broadband service.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo says the network also allows the city's police department to install surveillance cameras at a fraction of the cost of installing those requiring cables to transmit a signal.

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.