Google Asks. U.S. to Open TV 'White Space' for Web
Less than a week after emerging as the "happy loser" in the latest U.S. wireless-spectrum auction, Google Inc. renewed a pitch to use TV "white space"-unlicensed and unused airwaves-to provide Internet service.
In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, the Internet search giant pressed the government to open up the white space for unlicensed use in hopes 6>f enabling more widespread, affordable Internet ac. cess over the airwaves.
"As Google has pointed out previously, the vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused, or else is grossly underutilized," Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media lawyer, wrote in the letter.
Google said the white space, located between channels 2 and 51 on TV sets that aren't hooked up to satellite or cable services, 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 FCC wasn't available for comment. A majority of FCC commissioners, including Chairman Kevin Martin, previously have indicated that they support the use of white-space spectrum, as long as the technologies deployed are sufficiently robust to prevent interference with TV broadcast signals.
Although it wasn't the first time Google urged the FCC to open up TV white space, the company's public letter was notable, given Google's involvement in the just-ended government auction of radio spectrum. In the auction, Google was outbid by Verizon Wireless, ajoint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and VOdafone Group PLC, but the Mountain View, Calif., Internet company had already convinced the FCC to grant an openaccess provision that will allow customers to use whatever phones or software they wish on a portion of the spectrum.
Google is developing mobile phone software, known as Android, that several device makers are using to power their coming handsets. In a conference call, Mr. Whitt said Google had no plans to submit a prototype device that would work on "white spaces," but he noted that the unused spectrum would be a "very nice match" for Android phones, which currently don't "have a home for spectrum."
TV broadcasters oppose the use of white space, fearing it would cause interference with television programming and could cause problems with a federally mandated transition from analog to digital broadcasting signal next year.
But Google in its letter urged the FCC to adopt a series of overlapping technologies, including "spectrum sensing," designed to prevent signals from interfering with each other. "Google also would be willing to provide, at no cost to third parties, the technical support necessary to make these plans happen,". Mr. Whitt said.
by Scott Morrison; Andrew Edwards contributed to this article
Wall Street Journal; March 25, 2008
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