2015 Schedule
Interactive: March 13–17  •  Film: March 13–21  •  Music: March 17–22

Super WiFi: Redefining Connectivity in Memory of TV

Sunday, March 15
3:30PM - 4:30PM

Austin Convention Center
Room 9ABC
Austin Convention Center

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Unused television white space has fallen into disuse in the digital age and has come to be known as Super WiFi--so dubbed, by the FCC. These old unused UHF/VHF TV frequencies can in fact be used to create new networks that would allow many people currently deprived of Internet in the world access to get online. Retrofitting spectrum is an example of what Kenyan author Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor calls the “ethical imagination.” Using creativity for solutions in the real world in a conscientious manner. Over 60 million people in the U.S. remain without access to the Internet. These airwaves are an invaluable national resource that will enable affordable, long distance, high speed wireless connectivity for the underserved. If the FCC soon auctions off licenses to the highest bidder for the unused frequency, it would be like selling naming rights to our national parks. The discussion will focus on connectivity and the creative and future use of Super WiFi (unused television spectrum).

Hashtags

#sxsw #superwifi

Presenters

Greta Byrum

Sr Field Analyst

New America Foundation

Joseph Grima

Founder

Space Caviar

Mary Ellen Carroll

Dir

Public Utility 2.0/VUUM

Saman Arbabi

Exec Producer

Voice of America

Saman Arbabi is an Iranian-American award winning international journalist and Creator & Executive Producer of Iran's most popular satirical television shows Parazit and OnTen. Parazit has been cal...

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Details

Access
Interactive Badge, Gold Badge, Platinum Badge
Type
Solo / Dual / Panel
Theme
Global Impact and Policy
Level
Intermediate

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