For the first time in years, residents of rural Thurman can do simple tasks, like check their email or look up information, without hours of waiting for pages to load. A new “white space” broadcast service was recently launched and has been a long-awaited upgrade for the town.
According to Denton Publications, “White space broadband involves broadcasting data signals over unused electromagnetic frequencies between old analog television channels,” and has seen great success in Europe. Users have found that the new service costs significantly less than unreliable satellite and dial-up options they’ve had to resort to in the past.
Both residents and business owners alike are already seeing the benefits of white space broadband. They report being able to use WiFi-connected television, get the word out about events, and keep up with out-of-town family members like never before.
Currently, about a dozen households are using the service, but there are plans to expand the white space reach to 90 households and beyond.
The success of the Thurman white space project could have dramatic implications for other rural areas throughout the Adirondacks that currently lack access to reliable, high-speed Internet.
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