Super WiFi Hits the Streets

A Houston grandmother could be the first person in the country to get "super WiFi", high-speed wireless internet transmitted over newly accessible segments of the broadcast spectrum.

1 minute read

April 19, 2011, 10:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


In September of 2010, the FCC allowed part of the spectrum previously used for television transmissions (now made available with TV's move from analog to digital) to be used for super WiFi.

Eric Berger at The Houston Chronicle explains why this is good news for WiFi users:

"The newer chunk of the spectrum allowed WiFi signals at longer wavelengths, which are much better at penetrating natural and man-made barriers."

The Houston grandmother is an early adopter because of the efforts of Technology For All, a Houston nonprofit that provides free wireless Internet access to low-income households in partnership with Rice University.

Monday, April 18, 2011 in The Houston Chronicle

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

MARTA train tracks run in the middle of a six lane highway with an overpass and the Buckhead city skyline of skyscrapers in the background.

How Would Project 2025 Affect America’s Transportation System?

Long story short, it would — and not in a good way.

September 29, 2024 - Marcelo Remond

People in large plaza in front of Zurich Opera House in Switzerland.

But... Europe

European cities and nations tend to have less violent crime than the United States. Is government social welfare spending the magic bullet that explains this difference?

September 26, 2024 - Michael Lewyn

Aerial view of low-rise neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.

California Law Ends Road Widening Mandates

Housing developers will no longer be required to dedicate land to roadway widening, which could significantly reduce the cost of construction and support more housing units.

September 25, 2024 - Streetsblog California

Cows grazing in front of vertical solar panels.

New Jersey Agrivoltaic Project Combines Solar Energy With Farming

A Rutgers University-New Brunswick demonstration farm will evaluate solar array designs to understand how they can best support grazing and agriculture on the same site.

15 minutes ago - Rutgers University—New Brunswick

Aerial view of Central de Abasto food wholesale market in Mexico City, Mexico.

Rooftop Solar on Mexico City Market to Power 300 Transit Buses

A solar project atop a massive food market will provide electricity to Mexico City's public transit buses.

1 hour ago - Bloomberg CityLab

Aerial view of Norwalk, California in daytime.

Norwalk to Lose State Funding After Shelter Ban

A California city will lose access to state housing funds after refusing to end a prohibition on new emergency shelters.

October 6 - CBS News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research

Regional Rail at Mpact Transit + Community 2024

Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)

Cornell's Department of City and Regional Planning Announces Undergraduate and Graduate Program Information Sessions and Application Details

Cornell University's College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP), the Department of City and Regional Planning (CRP)