2008/08/18

(Google's) Free the airwaves (what about other countries?)

I've heard about freeing the airwaves, a Google initiative (with it's own dedicated website) that will help achieve wireless broadband nationwide Internet, taking advantage of unused airwaves between broadcast TV channels. The Federal Communication Commission in the US has a pending decision concerning new rules on aforementioned radio spectrum broadcast channels.

I have no doubt that this will surely benefit the US, and that it will pave down the way for other countries to follow this example, but the first question that comes into my mind is: what is the real short term benefit (if any) for other countries in supporting this initiative? Guess it's up to each country and each country's laws (and law-makers), and of course, each country's current radio spectrum set.

I certainly support it, and I believe it is a good first step, just wondering...

2 comments:

tool dijo...

freeing de airwaves, yes, but what technology is Google proposing to use? Wimax?. I red that Qualcomm was developing a new technology better and cheaper than Wimax. do you know it?

Lozbo dijo...

I'll be honest and tell you I don't know.

The way I understand it its just that: radio waves spectrum, no other technology. Did you read the faq at the website? Here's an excerpt:

There is a better way forward: free up the unused airwaves, so that more entrepreneurs can get into the market, build the wireless technologies of tomorrow, and roll out faster, low-cost Internet access. Right now, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering whether to open up a vast, vacant swath of spectrum -- the TV "white spaces." Rather than being sold to private companies via exclusive licenses, this spectrum would be unlicensed, owned by no one and available to everyone