WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The North Carolina city that became the first in the country to switch to all-digital television is using some of the broadcast spectrum vacated by TV stations.
Officials in Wilmington will announce on Wednesday that the city will be a first-in-the-nation testing ground for ways to use that radiowave white space for a giant network that cuts operating costs.
The city plans to use wireless cameras to monitor traffic congestion and keep an eye on public parks. Some of the former TV signals will carry broadband computer access to parks and schools.
Wireless signals formerly used by television stations can travel over long distances, and the signals can pass over hilly terrain.
The Federal Communications Commission made former TV frequencies available free of charge.
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