Why are they turning off your anolog TV set next year? This may be why!!!
Good Morning Silicon Valley
Article Launched: 03/24/2008 02:02:17 PM PDT
Google launches new probe in white-space race
By JOHN MURRELL
Come February of next year, the mandated move of over-the-air broadcasters from analog to digital will free up some valuable radio frequencies known collectively as the "white space" -- the unused, unlicensed airspace between broadcast channels 2 and 51. It's a tasty bit of spectrum because it can propagate long distances and through obstacles, and that has stimulated the salivary glands of all the big tech companies with an interest in increasing the options for wireless devices and services. And since everything and anything that boosts Internet traffic is good for Google, it's not surprising to see the search sovereign out front in the push to get the FCC to make those airwaves free and open, flexing its lobbying clout the way it did in the recent auction of licensed spectrum (see "Google loses spectrum auction, exhales with relief").
Today, Google lawyer Richard Whitt said the company had sent a letter to the FCC, again making its case and trying to assuage the concerns of opponents who fear such use could cause harmful interference with TV and wireless microphone signals. Right now, the spectrum represents a vastly underutilized natural resource, Google said. "The unique qualities of the TV white space -- unused spectrum, large amounts of bandwidth, and excellent propagation characteristics -- offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans," said the letter. "In particular, this spectrum can provide robust infrastructure to serve the needs of under-deployed rural areas, as well as first responders and others in the public safety community. Moreover, use of this spectrum will enable much-needed competition to the incumbent broadband service providers." The company outlined several technical suggestions for resolving any interference issues, and said it would be more than happy to provide free technical support to third parties to make this all happen.
The key to exploiting the white space, Google said, is for the government to open it to all comers and then stand back. "FCC rules should specify only what is allowed, not how that result is to be achieved, or by whom," read the letter. "Much like the Internet itself, the agency's specifications should as much as possible enable 'innovation without permission' (although with necessary technical constraints). ... The value of the TV white space to all Americans simply is too great to allow this unique opportunity to be blocked by unfounded fear, uncertainty, and doubt."
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