Google wants white spaces for wireless broadband
Google sent a letter to FCC today, detailing plans to provide wireless Internet access over TV “white spaces,” Reuters reported. White spaces are the unlicensed and unused TV airwaves, which TV broadcasters say will cause interference if they are used by others. Google’s letter today is perhaps a sign that it was not the inherent winner of the recent spectrum auction despite what people are saying. Many claim that although Google did not buy any spectrum, it will benefit because Verizon Wireless , which spent billions, will be forced to provide open access to its network. But in reality, there’s still a lot of questions about how Verizon will implement the open-access rules. To be sure, Google was already pressing the FCC to provide access to the white spaces prior to the auction results, however, Google’s letter today shows the company is still worried about there being enough competition in the industry.
The WSJ reported that Google said that the white space, located between channels 2 and 51 on TV that aren’t hooked up to satellite or cable, offer a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans.” In addition, opening up the spectrum would “enable much-needed competition to the incumbent broadband service providers,” wrote Richard Whitt, Google’s telecom and media lawyer. Google held a conference call discussing the letter today. Silicon Alley Insider has a live transcript here. The filing comes less than two weeks after Microsoft’s Bill Gates urged the FCC to free up the white space spectrum to use Wi-Fi. Google and Microsoft are part of a coalition of technology companies that are lobbying the FCC about white-space use.
Source: Washington PostÂ
Damn!! Google is everywhere…
Primero
White noise 03 - The Wireless Ghost
LOL
If google does get the whitespace approval, will this mean free wireless internet service?
Google will be everywhere soon if that happens..
That is actually the most insane proposal ever! Just think, if implemented across the world it could mean way more internet avail. + way less monitoring of activity … somehow. Yay for hope!
Although I love being spoon fed my tech news by RLSLOG, I have a couple of days off of work and no new releases.
Looks like somebody’s got a case of the Mondays.
Test…
if it is free, aol and every other service will go broke, maybe at least 10 dollars. lets hope
This is great news!!! Since pretty soon all T.V.s that are not HDTV are about to be obselete far as watching T.V with these new Digital frequncies over Analog… It’ll be pretty good pulling out the old 32 Inch For some serious WIFI (lol) I Hope, Good Luck GOOGLE…..
Wow, this would be insanely awesome.
@ 10 dont see how they become * Obselete * My tv can tune into HD channels and watch them.. and my Tv ISENT HD… I can watch the channels just fine.. there not TRUE HD but i still see the picture and hear the sound..
Basically Google is using the Pinky & the Brain scheme.
I like it.
in USA TV over the air will end in 2009 if I’m not mistaken, so, why not use these frequencies for something else?
POST SOME ACTUAL RELEASES!!!!!
I thought they’re going to use that spectrum for emergency services?
Anyone else realize this is bad? Easiest way to track other peoples transfers.
@14 you are mistaken
In January 2009 in the USA all analog transmission of V signals will stop. this has been announced by the FCC for over a year. What is the digital TV (DTV) transition?
The switch from analog to digital broadcast television is referred to as the digital TV (DTV) transition. In 1996, the U.S. Congress authorized the distribution of an additional broadcast channel to each broadcast TV station so that they could start a digital broadcast channel while simultaneously continuing their analog broadcast channel. Later, Congress mandated that February 17, 2009 would be the last day for full-power television stations to broadcast in analog. Broadcast stations in all U.S. markets are currently broadcasting in both analog and digital. After February 17, 2009, full-power television stations will broadcast in digital only.
Theres one big excuse for the BBC to keep its licence fee’s going…
“Look ma, im on TV!!!”
Also a good excuse to stop the DTI mothballing all their detector vans, they just will be used to monitor activity and users instead of TVs…
Where is Silicon Alley?
If things proceed as planned, this will revolutionize the way we look at the internet. Google is taking another giant step forward in technology, I am proud to be an avid supporter of Google and all it’s endeavors!
Analog signals should be used for something like this, there is no reason they shouldn’t be. I do believe, however, that there should be some type of charge for this service. Maybe 5-10 dollars a month, this will allow low-income families and people less fortunate to have internet access in their homes to discover the amazing potential of the internet, the world’s library. I’m sure that Google knows what they’re doing, and I cannot wait to see what they think of next.
x R i c k
Addition to my previous post.. he wuz somewhat right.. tho calling the TV’s ” obselete ” where it should have been ” Obsolete ” lol anyway the tvs who ARNT on Cable dont use converter boxes.. where as the tv’s who use DVD-r Are allready on Converter boxes those without DVD-R are prolly on the OLD Cable boxes.. the BS boxes also known as.. for those using the Moxi or the Motorola Boxes AKA DVD-R boxes are allready using the Converter so.. Anyway You need a Box to convert the signal so yer TV will still work.. calling it obsolete wuz a dumbass thing.
* Moxi Boxes… And DVR.. not DVD-R… My god ive had 2 much 2 drink 2night… sorry
Google is going to be like skynet from terminator…
Something tells me that Google has the ability to employ a team who have far more experience in this type of a industry to ensure there is no interference when these frequencies are used for WiFi. As one of the previous posters wrote this is a great leap forward in technology. Not only will low cost or free broadband be available to the masses but those people who simply cannot afford broadband will now have access to it. Now all that needs to be implemented is a good cheap online store where these low-income families can purchase online their everyday goods for less. Lets be honest running a website is far cheaper then running a full store.
Just my two cents and nothing less,
L1feless
does this mean ppl like me in the middle of no where can get hi speed internet with out using hughesnet??
@20 There are only 4 or 5 functional “detector” vans in the country, 1 of them is used for display to the media, all the other detector vans that you see are just ordinary vans. Also evidence obtained by TV Licensing detector vans is not admissible in court, as it is determined to be an invasion of privacy. Which is why there is such a low number of these vans that actually work, and why there is a large number of “heavies” they employ as they can only prosecute you if you are dumb enough to let one of their officers into your home.
I’m surprised so few people are actually aware of this.
@27 Yes, that’s exactly the point. Allowing people in rural areas to get high speed, wireless internet.
This will also increase the efficiency, stability and speed of other wireless internet.
This is not going to be free, you’re going to have to pay for it, just like you pay for TV. You’ll also still need to pay your internet provider, it’s just that instead of connecting through cable or DSL, you’ll connect through wireless signals.
This is possible because these TV signals are already spread out all over the US (because of TV stations), so deployment is not necessary.
Glad I bought my google shares when they were only 98$…..
Our gracious overlords Goog do it again. To make it free would probably be impossible since it would drive out all competion, but that competition, (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast) they all have other things going on. Phones, cable, slave trades, all that good stuff.