"As Google has pointed out previously, the vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused, or else is grossly underutilized," Google Media Counsel Richard S. Whitt, wrote in a letter filed with the Federal Communications Commission on Friday. "Our nation typically uses only about five percent of one of our most precious resources. Unlike other natural resources, there is no benefit to allowing this spectrum to lie fallow. The airwaves can provide huge economic and social gains if used more efficiently, as seen today with the relatively tiny slices utilized by mobile phones and WiFi services."
Here is what Shelly Palmer of Media 3.0 has to say about this (and other issues):
This isn’t the first time Google proposes using this untapped spectrum. It is the first time however it has outlined its plans publicly. The filing came days after the federal government announced the winners of an expensive auction that raised 20 billion dollars, by selling off important chunks of the old analog broadcast spectrum. They will be phased out in February 2009, when the U.S. TV industry converts to 100% digital broadcasting.
"The unique qualities of the TV white space -- unused spectrum, large amounts of bandwidth, and excellent propagation characteristics -- offer an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans," Whitt wrote in Google's letter. "In particular, this spectrum can provide robust infrastructure to serve the needs of under-deployed rural areas, as well as first responders and others in the public safety community. Moreover, use of this spectrum will enable much-needed competition to the incumbent broadband service providers."
Not surprisingly, Google has already started the "technological groundwork" to utilize this untapped spectrum. Once coupled with its new "Android" open source mobile communications platform, Google would be able to provide "uniquely low-cost mobile broadband coverage for all Americans" as they put it. It would also enable them to extend and move beyond its core competency of online search into a broad and ubiquitous communications infrastructure.
Broadcasters are supposedly pleased by the details of Google's disclosure, but remain concerned about some of the technical aspects. In particular, they question whether use of TV's white space spectrum - located between channels 2 and 51 in the over-the-air broadcast signal - might not cause technical interference with television broadcasts. Their concerns are:
1. Spectrum sensing alone doesn’t protect viewers against interference from mobile devices.
2. Adding geolocation and beacon sensing may not be enough to make mobile operation feasible.
3. Mobile personal device operation in the same band as TV broadcasting may continue to be a guaranteed recipe for producing interference.
National Association of Broadcasters Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton seems to want it both ways as he welcomes and at the same time damns Google’s plan:
"We are pleased that Google now seems to realize that spectrum sensing alone won't protect viewers against interference from unlicensed devices. Unfortunately, simply adding geolocation and beacon sensing does not mean that mobile operation is suddenly feasible. Portable, mobile personal device operation in the same band as TV broadcasting continues to be a guaranteed recipe for producing interference and should not be allowed under any circumstances."
The big questions in my mind are: Will Google play the wireless carriers against the broadcasters? Does it need to? Will they go it alone for the sake of opening up this spectrum too and win by losing again?
I wouldn’t bet against them.
Cybercast credit: Google Video. Who else, really???
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