Google Plan Would Open TV Band For Wireless Use
Bloomberg News
The New York Times
Google proposed a plan on Monday that may let wireless Internet devices use vacant television airwaves without interfering with current equipment.
In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, Google offered suggestions on how the airwaves, known as white spaces, could provide high-speed mobile access to consumers without disrupting televisions and wireless microphones.
Google and Microsoft are part of a group that wants the F.C.C. to unlock the airwaves for unlicensed uses, like mobile Web access, after broadcasters convert to digital signals in 2009. Google said that its proposals could help ensure that consumers anywhere would be able to use devices on those airwaves by late next year.
“Google is a strong believer in the potential of this spectrum to bring Internet access to more Americans,” Richard S. Whitt, a lawyer for the company, based in Mountain View, Calif., said in a conference call. “The spectrum is way too valuable to be wasted.”
Google plans to bolster revenue by creating more Internet services for mobile phones and devices. Portable technology is outselling personal computers, giving the company new spots to place online advertising. Only about 5 percent of the nation’s TV white spaces are being used, Mr. Whitt said.
Last week, Google scored a victory in an F.C.C. auction of airwaves after Verizon Wireless agreed to spend $4.74 billion on spectrum that will be available for any legal device. Bids had to surpass a $4.6 billion threshold to activate the so-called open-access rules on the spectrum. Google had sought the rules to spur the use of new wireless devices.
To protect airwaves used by the military and public safety agencies, Google proposed the use of spectrum-sensing technology, which would free up the airwaves when they are needed by the government. The company also backed ideas submitted by Motorola last year that would protect TV signals and wireless microphones.
In addition to Google and Microsoft, the White Spaces Coalition includes Royal Philips Electronics, Intel and Dell. The proposals announced Monday were developed by Google alone, Mr. Whitt said.
In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, Google offered suggestions on how the airwaves, known as white spaces, could provide high-speed mobile access to consumers without disrupting televisions and wireless microphones.
Google and Microsoft are part of a group that wants the F.C.C. to unlock the airwaves for unlicensed uses, like mobile Web access, after broadcasters convert to digital signals in 2009. Google said that its proposals could help ensure that consumers anywhere would be able to use devices on those airwaves by late next year.
“Google is a strong believer in the potential of this spectrum to bring Internet access to more Americans,” Richard S. Whitt, a lawyer for the company, based in Mountain View, Calif., said in a conference call. “The spectrum is way too valuable to be wasted.”
Google plans to bolster revenue by creating more Internet services for mobile phones and devices. Portable technology is outselling personal computers, giving the company new spots to place online advertising. Only about 5 percent of the nation’s TV white spaces are being used, Mr. Whitt said.
Last week, Google scored a victory in an F.C.C. auction of airwaves after Verizon Wireless agreed to spend $4.74 billion on spectrum that will be available for any legal device. Bids had to surpass a $4.6 billion threshold to activate the so-called open-access rules on the spectrum. Google had sought the rules to spur the use of new wireless devices.
To protect airwaves used by the military and public safety agencies, Google proposed the use of spectrum-sensing technology, which would free up the airwaves when they are needed by the government. The company also backed ideas submitted by Motorola last year that would protect TV signals and wireless microphones.
In addition to Google and Microsoft, the White Spaces Coalition includes Royal Philips Electronics, Intel and Dell. The proposals announced Monday were developed by Google alone, Mr. Whitt said.
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