From DailyWireless:

As you know, the FCC determined that all broadcasters could operate their DTV systems in Channels 2-51. That leaves the Upper 700 MHz Band (60 megahertz of spectrum corresponding to channels 60-69), and the Lower 700 MHz Band (48 megahertz of spectrum corresponding to channels 52-59), available for broadband wireless users. But there are still some tv stations using those frequencies -- and they don't have to move until December, 2006. Public service users already got a bundle of channels in the 800 Mhz band from UHF channels 70-83. And they'll get some more when Nextel moves out.{mos_sb_discuss:3}

 Steve Stroh:

On February 18, 2005, buried in the typical minutiae of the FCC's daily output of announcements, was the approval (PDF link) of a long-sought waiver request by Aloha Partners LP that allows them to commence Broadband Wireless Internet Access services using their 700 MHz licensed spectrum in the Tucson, Arizona market. While Aloha Partners has been very public about the submission of the waiver request, it was not a certainty that the waiver would be granted.

...In a related development, on February 1, 2005, Aloha Partners LP announced that it will purchase Cavalier Group LLC and DataCom Wireless LLC, respectively the second and third largest owners of 700 MHz spectrum in the US. Aloha Partners now has spectrum sufficient for a (mostly) nationwide network, including spectrum in the top ten urban markets and "84% of the top forty urban markets".

In previous interviews, Aloha Partners has stated that they intend to use Flarion FLASH OFDM systems for their initial deployments. Flarion recently announced a significant advancement in its FLASH technology, which would seem to make it an even better fit for Aloha's operations.

The waiver and proof-of-concept test is very significant. If Aloha Partners can operationally demonstrate a lack of interference to legacy television broadcast operations in auctioned 700 MHz spectrum, the various 700 MHz spectrum owners could commence new services such as (Fixed and mobile) Broadband Wireless Internet Access very soon rather than waiting indefinitely for legacy television broadcasting to cease operations in auctioned 700 MHz spectrum.

DailyWireless: Thank you, Steve. I think we all ought to sign up for Steve's newsletter (any chance for a freebie, Steve?...only kidding). But seriously, what does it mean for us?