In a six-page letter to the Federal Communications Commission, Google promoted plans for the unlicensed and unused spectrum, called TV “white space,” and tried to allay fears about interfering with broadcasters and wireless microphone users. Google attorney Rick Whitt urged the FCC to adopt rules that would allow devices to utilize the white space, saying it is a precious resource that was being grossly underutilized.
“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,” Whitt wrote.
The letter was aimed…at addressing interference concerns about the use of the white space, concerns that have prevented approval of the use by federal regulators. The FCC, for example, held off approving the use of white space last year after tests found that devices using the spectrum either interfered with or failed to avoid TV signals…By using “spectrum sensing” technology, developed by Motorola, and new protocols proposed by Google that ensure white space devices won’t disrupt TV signals, Whitt believes the spectrum can be used without conflicts. He also proposed a “safe harbor” for wireless microphones covering several channels that would prohibit white space devices from using that spectrum.
“We’d like to think we’re standing in the shoes of consumers,” Whitt said Monday. “What works well for us also works well for consumers so they can access not just us but anything they’d like from the Internet.”
The devices tested, last year, were surprisingly amateurish. Google’s wireless mic beacons are designed for GPS location – and would add about $10 cost.
Objections must be resolved – from consumers’ groups as well as the “impartial” National Association of Broadcasters.
Lots of discussion coming up. And an election smack in the middle.
I’m not getting excited because Verizon and Comcast types will not let this go through. The consumer able to get cheap WiFi across the nation without paying through the nose. It will never happen, but I hope I’m wrong.
I applaud Google, Microsoft, Intel, .. for pushing the FCC to release white space spectrum. This is beach front radio property needed for advanced communications.
The FCC should not only release white space spectrum but should have given away for free the licensed spectrum they just auctioned off. Those auction billions they got from companies is a drop in the Federal bucket that gets squandered on a long weekend in Iraq. That money could have been used by companies for their equipment build out instead of putting it in Bush’s filthy hands.
I was hoping that Google would get some of the 700 MHz spectrum and interconnect it with the dark fibers they were also buying and make a run at the telcos to give us some real competition in broadband access ! The telcos will try to maintain their STRANGLE-HOLD ON THE INTERNET, and leave America FAR, FAR BEHIND OTHER NATIONS IN BROADBAND ACCESS ! In some other countries, you can get 100 MBPS for $40 per month, while Verizon charges $180 for only 30 MBPS on their FIOS … Perhaps it’s time to BUST UP THE TELCOS AGAIN !!!
Google has a real uphill battle. They “should” prevail, but from recent history we easily see that it is the norm for the public interest to NOT be upheld.
Here is the best case in point:
Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000.
“April 11, 2000 | Three months ago radio activists were euphoric when the Federal Communications Commission, over the strong objections of influential commercial broadcasters, voted to roll out low-power radio (LPFM), a new class of 10 and 100 watt community-based FM stations. Since that vote though, the ad-hoc LPFM coalition of educators, church leaders, grass-roots entrepreneurs, school administrators and minorities have discovered firsthand why their primary foe, the National Association of Broadcasters, is regarded as one of Washington’s most powerful players.”…
“NPR says it supports low-power FM, but it’s joining with industry lobbyists to drive a stake through the heart of grass-roots broadcasting.”
http://tinyurl.com/382vq9
The technical arguments against using “White Space” will disappear once TV broadcasting goes digital. Originally the white space was put in place to eliminating crosstalk, but current digital receivers tune that out anyhow. The tech has been around for a long time and is tried and true.
BUT… The FCC and others, who know this quite well, will still try to maintain their monopoly on information and entertainment.
That is the bottom word:
Control the means of disseminating information to make another buck.
In case you didn’t read the article, the National Association of Broadcasters and NPR had the Radio Broadcasting Preservation act amended so:
1. The FCC has the ability and jurisdiction to license LPFM stations.
2. Third adjacent channel interference protections require LPFM stations to be separated by at least 0.6 MHz from all other stations with the intent of preventing signal interference.
3. Applicants who have engaged in the unlicensed operation of any station cannot receive LPFM licenses.
4. The FCC agreed to commission studies on the interference effects and economic impact of LPFM on full-power stations. (The findings, later published in the Mitre Report, suggest that third adjacent channel interference protections may not be necessary.)
Which, of course, killed it’s original intent.