News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on FCC planning to open up 1200 MHz of spectrum for unlicensed / Wi-Fi usage [pdf]. Parent comment

Re:FCC planning to open up 1200 MHz of spectrum for unlicens... by Danieru on Thursday April 02, 2020 @01:48AM (#22756546)
No doubt to prevent abuse and allow identification of violators.

Encryption would open the bands to general commercial usage. My uncle works in Canada's spectrum enforcement. You would be surprised at how many small business attempt to violate band licenses to save a few bucks. Think taxi or logging services with commms on protected bands.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:FCC planning to open up 1200 MHz of spectrum for unlicens... by Causality1 on Thursday April 02, 2020 @02:00AM (#22756598)
... But if they're violating the rules in some other way why wouldn't they also encrypt?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:FCC planning to open up 1200 MHz of spectrum for unlicens... by tlrobinson on Thursday April 02, 2020 @02:16AM (#22756669)
You have it backwards. They can't violate the rules now because it would be obvious. If encryption were allowed it would be impossible to know if a transmission is violating certain rules or not.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:FCC planning to open up 1200 MHz of spectrum for unlicens... by Causality1 on Thursday April 02, 2020 @04:39AM (#22757197)
Like what? Plotting to kill somebody over the radio? Logically there must be rules about hogging spectrum or harassing people but I'm having a hard time imagining how encryption could stop someone from knowing if you're breaking another law.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:FCC planning to open up 1200 MHz of spectrum for unlicens... by dannypgh on Thursday April 02, 2020 @07:52AM (#22758052)
Commercial usage of amateur bands is prohibited. How can you tell if communication is commercial if you can't understand what's being communicated?
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:FCC planning to open up 1200 MHz of spectrum for unlicens... by yipbub on Thursday April 02, 2020 @02:19AM (#22756682)
AFAIK encryption doesn't hide you if you're broadcasting; you can be found with a directional antenna.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:FCC planning to open up 1200 MHz of spectrum for unlicens... by luxpir on Thursday April 02, 2020 @03:11AM (#22756887)
You can be located pretty trivially, encryption or not. Look up fox-hunting (radio version).
[ Parent | on HN ]