Google in new 'white space' spectrum push

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 19 August 2008 05:01

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

The advantages of using white space for this purpose are that the signals have a long range and provide good penetration into buildings.

Objections to the idea come from those who assert that it would cause interference with TV transmissions and perhaps even mobile phone services, as well as wireless microphones that already use white spaces. Google counters by pointing out the FCC would not allow the sale of any device that did cause such interference, and that the existence of wireless microphones prove it is possible to use white spaces without causing TV interference.

Recent field tests suggest it may be necessary of devices to determine their location - eg by GPS - and then refer to a database listing the  frequencies that have been licensed for specific purposes in that area so it can avoid them. While this should prevent interference, it seems that there may be significant unlicensed use of wireless microphones, and trials of technology that is supposed to avoid channels that are in use have not proved successful.

But what's in it for Google?

"Google has a clear business interest in expanding access to the web," admitted Minnie Ingersoll, product manager in Google's alternative access team.

"There's no doubt that if these airwaves are opened up to unlicensed use, more people will be using the Internet. That's certainly good for Google (not to mention many of our industry peers) but we also think that it's good for consumers."