Google wants to provide wireless Internet access to the entire U.S.

Google sends letter to FCC presenting its plans to develop TV airwaves to provide wireless Internet access to the U.S.

For some time Google - working with other technology companies including Intel Corp., Philips Electronics NV and Microsoft Corp. - has pressed the FCC to open up the white spaces for unlicensed use in hopes of enabling more widespread, high-speed wireless Internet access to consumers over the airwaves without interfering with safety standards.

"As Google has pointed out previously, the vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused, or else is grossly underutilized," wrote Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media lawyer in the letter. "Unlike other natural resources, there is no benefit to allowing this spectrum to lie fallow."

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," Mr. Whitt wrote.

The plan’s essentials include a vision of portable and fixed broadband devices with Android offering a low-cost operating system for such devices. In addition to working in the white spaces, the devices should also work on the “open access” 700MHz spectrum that Verizon purchased. Because building network equipment is a challenge, Google plans to help out third-party device makers at no cost.

However, the idea is opposed by U.S. broadcasters and makers of wireless microphones, who fear the devices would cause interference.

• google
• Internet
• wireless

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