Google want US "White Space" for "Wi-Fi on steroids" service

Looking for alternatives following failed 700MHz bid

24 March 2008 22:01 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Google has unveiled plans to use the "White Space" between television channels in the US to create a "Wi-Fi 2.0 or Wi-Fi on steroids" less than a week after being unsuccessful in the 700MHz spectrum auction in the US.

In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission released by Google on Monday, the Search Engine giant has called on the government to open up the so called "white space" unused channels on the television for unlicensed use in hopes of enabling more widespread, affordable internet access over the airwaves.

"The airwaves can provide huge economic and social gains if used more efficiently...", Google said in the comments to the FCC.

If the US government agrees to the request, the "white space" airwaves could become available in February 2009, when TV broadcasters switch from analogue to digital signals. Devices using white-space spectrum could be available by the end of 2009 and Google is clearly hoping there would be a barrage of Android-ready handsets to meet the demand.

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".