FCC Pointing to iPad as Harbinger of Increased Wireless Spectrum Needs

[MacRumors]

MacNN points to a blog post written earlier this week by Phil Bellaria, a director in the National Broadband Task Force at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), expressing concern over increasing cellular network congestion and citing Apple's iPad introduction as the spark for renewed fears.

Apple's iPad announcement has set off a new round of reports of networks overburdened by a data flow they were not built to handle. These problems are reminiscent of the congestion dialup users experienced following AOL's 1996 decision to allow unlimited internet use. For months users had trouble connecting and, once they did connect, experienced frequent service outages. The FCC even held hearings on the problem.

Despite the fact that the iPad has yet to begin shipping, Bellaria uses the concerns as fuel for his task force's push to free up additional wireless spectrum for such important and fast-growing uses as wireless broadband.

Reaching an always-on wireless broadband future means that spectrum can no longer remain attached solely to uses deemed valuable decades ago. The broadband plan will suggest ways of moving more spectrum into high value uses, such as broadband access, to help ensure that we don't get stuck in 1997 dialup-style congestion.

AT&T, Apple's U.S. wireless partner for the iPhone and the upcoming service provider for the iPad, has received substantial criticism for its network performance as it has struggled to keep up with surging data traffic demands driven in large part by the popularity of the iPhone. But while AT&T is in the process of spending billions of dollars on its own infrastructure, the FCC reminds observers of the role it will play in the allocation of resources as it attempts to define a national plan for broadband access for an interconnected web of wired, wireless, and satellite technologies.

Article Link: FCC Pointing to iPad as Harbinger of Increased Wireless Spectrum Needs

 

[DipDog3]

With the iPad pointing to even greater demand for mobile broadband on the horizon, we must ensure that network congestion doesn’t choke off a service that consumers clearly find so appealing or frustrate mobile broadband’s ability to keep us competitive in the global broadband economy.

I think the iPhone causes plenty of congestion now!

 

[sbrhwkp3]

pple's iPad announcement has set off a new round of reports of networks overburdened by a data flow they were not built to handle.

How could the iPad set off reports of overburdened networks when it hasn't even been released yet?

 

[goobot]

just wow

 

[basesloaded190]

Do they really have nothing better to do at this point?

 

[Dwalls90]

In other news, the USA ranks below the top 10 in terms of broadband speeds and availability worldwide. Anyone noticing the correlation yet? If anything, we should be thankful for Apple (or anyone, for that matter) releasing these products to drive up the volume of usage as a means to force carriers to increase bandwidth.

 

[frjonah]

Sounds like it's time for Government to step in and save the day... what we really need is a spectrum bailout

 

[*LTD*]

Do they really have nothing better to do at this point?

They have a point, and it's for YOUR benefit. If only we had this sort of discourse taking place three years ago.

 

[v-roc]

Just wow...

Have they forgotten all the other iPhones, 3G enabled netbooks and the other millions of 3G devices that use this data. Do they think that iPad users will use more data than an iPhone or netbook user? Hell I send over 3GB of data on my iPhone now. I plan on getting an iPad and I'll probably use just as much but my iPhone data usage will go down. I can see this happening with alot of people buying iPads. Using their iPad vs smartphone for more of their data needs.

 

[SkippyThorson]

How could the iPad set off reports of overburdened networks when it hasn't even been released yet?

"Apple's iPad Announcement"; not release. Please read.

I agree - there is way too much congestion heading to the cell phone carriers. If people just stuck to traditional wireless networks as opposed to using cellular data, perhaps we could buy more time to figure things out.

We have no choice but to broaden the spectrum. Things are just getting too overburdened.

 

[gwangung]

Do they really have nothing better to do at this point?

I think this is PRECISELY what they should be doing. Planning ahead is a good thing.

(Now, if you'd said they shoulda done this years ago, then I'd agree...)

 

[macshill2]

Apple's become evil and only cares about profits, profits, profits. They don't care how this pile-on is making for an aggravating, counter-productive experience.

 

[Consultant]

So the FCC thinks the iPad will be very popular? OMG

 

[macshill2]

I think this is PRECISELY what they should be doing. Planning ahead is a good thing.

(Now, if you'd said they shoulda done this years ago, then I'd agree...)

Apple should have released details a year or two ago, even if it means the FCC knowing... ooh, the "super top secret Apple tablet" plans before the day of launch.

What total GALL for Apple to offer this bandwidth-hogging device and just command an instant FCC approval without checks and balances!

You KNOW if this had been any other company, you'd be crying bloody murder.

 

[ReallyOldGuy]

exactly what kind of "plan" are they referring to? There is currently a fixed amount of capacity (although growing daily). Is the FCC going to dictate what usage is more important or is the Federal Govt going to spend $345 million on a study that says carriers need to "increase their capacity" because that would be a "plan", not a good one but then look at all the current "PLANS"

 

[robfromabove]

Apple's iPad announcement has set off a new round of reports of networks overburdened by a data flow they were not built to handle. These problems are reminiscent of the congestion dialup users experienced following AOL's 1996 decision to allow unlimited internet use.

What a load of crap. Look where that has gotten us now? The demand for faster networks has given us cable and DSL connections 100x faster than what dialup offered us. If anything, the FCC should be embracing technology that forces the networks to improve their standards.

 

[Mousse]

Have they forgotten all the other iPhones, 3G enabled netbooks and the other millions of 3G devices that use this data. Do they think that iPad users will use more data than an iPhone or netbook user?

I think the fear is that the iPad will sell like gangbuster hotcakes. A huge influx of 3G data users will break an already over burdened network. To butcher a couple of old idioms, it'll be the ton of bricks that breaks the camel's back.

 

[RQPS]

AT&T needs to spend some cash on an ad campaign to tell people if you have access to wifi use it while you can to free up 3G.

 

[ShiftyPig]

"Apple's iPad Announcement"; not release. Please read.

I agree - there is way too much congestion heading to the cell phone carriers. If people just stuck to traditional wireless networks as opposed to using cellular data, perhaps we could buy more time to figure things out.

We have no choice but to broaden the spectrum. Things are just getting too overburdened.

Right, but the point being made was --> how can an announcement cause "reports of networks overburdened by a data flow they were not built to handle."

Please read.

 

[macshill2]

Ahh... all the more delicious to scoff at those lame, fraud Owen Wilson ads. Hope the price was worth it, boys.

They need to allow all US carriers to help take the overload off of one carrier's infrastructure. Apple's gotta wise up and end that cozy buddy-buddy in-bed relationship they've had w/ AT&T.

 

[Rocketman]

FCC, part of USGOV, right? The same folks who brought you a "stable dollar" and "fiscal stability", and "sensible regulation"? Those guys? Hmmm.

No.

FCC simply ASK AT&T and Verizon to agree on what they need from you, two competitive players, and change the regs to do what they are actually willing to agree on. Then give them $40B EACH for national wireless infrastructure build out and provisioning. Then give them $120B EACH in direct loans, thus interest on the loans paying for all of the grants, for networks that are at least 30% rural.

Be sure to include mesh wifi too. Coupons for cable boxes for free TV users? That plan was a bog. How about a coupon for TWO wifi mesh nodes and instructions on how to connect one end to a broadband connection and place the second one X distance from the first to provide service in needed places outside of the normal range of internet.

FEDGOV? Can you hear me now?

Rocketman

OBTW I think they are referring to "broadband" as 128k and above.

 

[SandynJosh]

It's obvious. Someone in power got a dropped AT&T call while doing phone sex with their favorite mistress. Certainly you don't think any of their announcement had anything to do with problems you or I are experiencing?

FYI, It's not yet a spectrum problem... it's a lack of towers to share the load... there's a map for that.

 

[Maserati7200]

How could the iPad set off reports of overburdened networks when it hasn't even been released yet?

Read the article more carefully. It said that with the release of the iPad, it will most likely put more strain on an already strained AT&T network. They are trying to take precautions to avoid this. And I agree with LTD, if only they did this three years ago...

 

[Vmaatta]

Have they forgotten all the other iPhones, 3G enabled netbooks and the other millions of 3G devices that use this data. Do they think that iPad users will use more data than an iPhone or netbook user? Hell I send over 3GB of data on my iPhone now. I plan on getting an iPad and I'll probably use just as much but my iPhone data usage will go down. I can see this happening with alot of people buying iPads. Using their iPad vs smartphone for more of their data needs.

Like said by SkippyThorson so well:

Please read.

MacNN points to a blog post written earlier this week by Phil Bellaria, a director in the National Broadband Task Force at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), expressing concern over increasing cellular network congestion and citing Apple's iPad introduction as the spark for renewed fears. ...

exactly what kind of "plan" are they referring to? There is currently a fixed amount of capacity (although growing daily). Is the FCC going to dictate what usage is more important or is the Federal Govt going to spend $345 million on a study that says carriers need to "increase their capacity" because that would be a "plan", not a good one but then look at all the current "PLANS"

The government controls the spectrum and this is about opening more of it for use in e.g. wireless broadband.

...Despite the fact that the iPad has yet to begin shipping, Bellaria uses the concerns as fuel for his task force's push to free up additional wireless spectrum for such important and fast-growing uses as wireless broadband.

 

[ShiftyPig]

FCC, part of USGOV, right? The same folks who brought you a "stable dollar" and "fiscal stability", and "sensible regulation"? Those guys? Hmmm.

No.

FCC simply ASK AT&T and Verizon to agree on what they need from you, two competitive players, and change the regs to do what they are actually willing to agree on. Then give them $40B EACH for national wireless infrastructure build out and provisioning. Then give them $120B EACH in loan guarantees, thus lowering interest, for networks that are at least 20% rural.

Be sure to include mesh wifi too. Coupons for cable boxes for free TV users? That plan was a bog. How about a coupon for TWO wifi mesh nodes and instructions on how to connect one end to a broadband connection and place the second one X distance from the first to provide service in needed places outside of the normal range of internet.

FEDGOV? Can you hear me now?

Rocketman

OBTW I think they are referring to "broadband" as 128k and above.

I think you have the FCC and the FTC confused.