$20b for tv spectrum

[DesertFox]

A US government auction of the wireless frequencies soon to be given up by television companies as they switch to digital transmissions has raised a record $19.59 billion.

The winners of the valuable spectrum will likely use it for new wireless data services for computers and mobile devices, but the victors' identities have not yet been revealed.

The 700-megahertz ultra high frequency (UHF) spectrum is being given up by television broadcasters as they move to digital from analog signals in early 2009. The signals are valuable because they can travel long distances and penetrate thick walls

More (http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn13499-disappearing-tv-spectrum-fetches-20-billion.html)

[DoctorDoom]

700 MHz would be ideal for wireless rural Internet service. The frequency is high enough to provide a fat pipe, but low enough that it's not significantly absorbed by foliage and other obstructions. It is of course still pretty much line-of-sight, but at least intervening trees won't greatly attentuate it. Here in the Berkshire boonies, that would be a major consideration, because we have a surplus of them.

[DesertFox]

We got rocks up here in Chinle, Arizona. Lots and lotsa rocks.