Google representative Richard Whitt recently petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow Google Inc. to develop so-called television “white space” for wireless Internet access throughout the entire United States.
For several months now, Google representatives had been quietly working behind the scenes to pressure the FCC into opening up unused and underutilized television broadcast frequencies, in order to create an affordable nationwide wireless Internet network.
In a letter to the FCC, Google pointed out that the overwhelming majority of available TV frequencies go unused. The “white space” TV frequencies Google is referring to can be found between channels 2 and 51 on televisions that are not connected to satellite or cable networks.
Google claims that opening up these channels for a nationwide wireless Internet network would provide a unique opportunity to provide a wireless Internet which could be accessed by more than 95% of the population of the United States. This would easily make the United States the most “connected” country in the world.
Tests have already been carried out to determine if the white channels could provide the necessary bandwidth for a stable wireless Internet network. Google has conducted its own research, and the results of the company’s testing have been submitted to the FCC for evaluation.
But while the idea of a nationwide wireless Internet network sounds like a brilliant step forward for information technology, Google’s proposal also has its detractors. Some television broadcasters have opposed the use of white TV frequencies, concerned that it could cause interference with normal television programming. There have also been concerns that opening up unused TV frequencies for Internet access could interfere with the transition from analog to digital television which will take place early next year.
So how would a nationwide wireless network benefit Google? Obviously, as both an online service provider and advertising agency, Google benefits by increasing the amount of consumers online. So there is little doubt that the plan would help Google’s bottom line. But it would also provide a dramatic change in access to information for consumers.
Experts have been complaining for years that the Internet needs greater democratization, and that the wealthiest Americans tend to have more access to the Internet (and information in general). By providing a ubiquitous wireless network, available in nearly any locality of the country, the United States would be taking a huge step forward to “level the playing field” when it comes to information technology.
So far the FCC has refused to comment on Google’s proposal, but for the good of everyone, let’s hope they take the request seriously and that the US can be the first country in the world to have a nationwide wireless Internet network.
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