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Google's Wi-Fi Dreams

Continued from page 1

By John Borland

Friday, March 28, 2008

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In its proposal, Google said that it would be willing to maintain "open geo-databases" to support this function, as well as provide intellectual property, reference designs, and technical support to other companies.

A second tool would be aimed at protecting the wireless microphones commonly used by news crews, conference speakers, and others, all of which today send signals over parts of the vacant TV spectrum.

Following earlier suggestions, Google is proposing the creation of an inexpensive "beacon" device, which would let microphone users broadcast the fact that a particular channel, in a particular area, is in use. White-space devices would be required to monitor and respect these active beacon signals, and to avoid broadcasting on the same channel.

Lastly, channels 36 through 38 would be set aside as a "safe harbor," to be used only by wireless microphones.

"We think Google did a good job of recognizing the high level of protection provided through this approach," says Steve Sharkey, senior director of regulatory and spectrum policy for Motorola, which submitted a proposal with similar features last year. "There is no question that this will be able to fully protect the [TV broadcast] incumbents and the devices that are supposed to be protected."

Others are less convinced.

"There is nothing in [Google's proposal] other than a laundry list of so-called protections that quite candidly have been debated for the last several years," says David Donovan, president of Maximum Service Television, a lobbying group that works closely with broadcasters. "There is no new technical information. There is no evidence put forth by Google, nor is there evidence in the record that any of this actually works."

At this date, with analysis of spectrum-sensing prototype devices still under way, and the alternative proposals still untested, there is no guarantee that the big technology companies, such as Google and Motorola, will have their way.

Indeed, this week the Cellular Telephone Industry Association (CTIA) offered an alternative proposal, under which the white-space channels would be used instead by licensed operators--much as cell-phone frequencies are used today--to offer broadband services. Broadcasters have said that they are more willing to accept this model, since any TV interference could be tracked immediately to a licensee, instead of to an unknown, unlicensed device.

However, the allure of spectrum-sensing devices hasn't diminished, despite testing hiccups and Google's new compromise proposal.

Google's proposal itself envisions a transition system, in which new devices' spectrum-sensing features could be continually checked against the information in the TV database, and any mismatches could be used to improve the technology.

Once spectrum sensing does mature, whole new generations of devices will be able to comb the airwaves looking for unused space, even beyond the TV channels now under discussion, the company says. Google has outlined a way of allocating this unused spectrum on the basis of "dynamic auctions," in which network service providers would bid for and gain access to the unused spectrum on a real-time basis, using an online auction tool.

Any such system would face considerable regulatory and technical hurdles, and it would almost certainly inspire political opposition from other, more traditional wireless users. But the idea of broadband devices that can find and utilize virtually any vacant spectrum has inspired technologists who see a more efficient use of the airwaves as a way to eliminate bandwidth constraints.

"We soon could see a low-cost and open infrastructure, supporting a near-unlimited bandwidth Internet service, improving every year as computer and radio technologies continue to evolve," wrote Google's Whitt. "This would be akin to a faster, longer range, higher data rate Wi-Fi service--'Wi-Fi 2.0' if you will."

Comments

  • Looking forward to it
    Brilliant! i'll look forward to it in 2009? when all signals go digital...if thats right.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    ryce
    03/28/2008
    Posts:4
    Avg Rating:
    3/5
    • Re: Looking forward to it
      Well I'm on google's side as are I would expect almost everybody except the older established
      telecoms - who will max their profits and give us one more 59.99 a month bill !!
      They only want to keep control of everything - the google guys recognize how much better off we all are when there is freedom to innovate and share ideas and technology - just think Microsoft v. Opensource and you know what the score is !!
      Rate this comment: 12345

      VCRAGAIN
      03/28/2008
      Posts:35
      Avg Rating:
      4/5
  • Google, WiFi and TV spectrum
    It would be a crying shame for Verizon and AT&T to crush this with their gigantic lobbying power and money as they are desperately trying to do.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    rttedrow
    03/28/2008
    Posts:43
    Avg Rating:
    4/5
  • Broadcasters have a legitimate concern
    In addition to meeting all the other design requirements, the unlicensed mobile devices would have to be fail-safe. A single malfunctioning device could wreak havoc with reception in its vicinity and be extremely difficult to trace. Fail-safe performance is theoretically possible, but rarely achieved in consumer devices.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    reid
    03/28/2008
    Posts:3
    Avg Rating:
    4/5
    • Re: Broadcasters have a legitimate concern
      Broadcasters are using the *public* airwaves.  Logically, therefore, what the public wants should be a factor.  (Cue: hysterical laughter.)  Well, I'd rather have mobile >54mbps wireless than whatever drivel they're showing on channel 30. 

      So, could we shut them all up now and have free, go-anywhere, taxpayer-supported internet access?  You know, like those other highways, the ones covered in asphalt? The ones that promote growth instead of stifling it?
      Rate this comment: 12345

      quixote7
      03/30/2008
      Posts:1
  • [no subject]
    This is the most important issue today. Google's goal is to give everyone free wireless access, with this access a new revolution in the areas of Democracy, media and commerce will occur. These companies will fight bitterly till the end because it signals the end of their business model. The power will be in the hands of the people and smaller independent companies. Sites like Wired or groups of people can become their own multimedia channels accessible to everyone   24\7 in the palm of their hands. Although Wired would probably have to change their name to wired-less, it wouldn't be such a bad change after all.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    Gcanno
    04/02/2008
    Posts:10
    Avg Rating:
    4/5
    • Re: Google WiFi Dreams
      Thank you for saying what I think and believe. Let us get rid of the cheaters who steal our power and value everyday with their own agenda.
      Rate this comment: 12345

      neogirl
      04/22/2008
      Posts:1
  • HELP us COUNTRY FOLK
    There a huge rual population that cannot connect to internet without the expensive Satellite solutions.  This would be great solution for us.  Plus this should drive the cost down for everyone.  I am all for saving money.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    steve2mh
    04/02/2008
    Posts:1
  • White Space Tech not just for Internet Broadband services
    http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Voyant-International-Corporation-917727.html

    These guys are already manufacturing commercial-grade white space radio device not just for broadband, but also innovative uses such as long-range radio control of devices and data transmissions.

    Think smart traffic signals that's solar-powered with LED signal lights, with software-defined signal processing, video streaming of traffic conditions, image/on-ground traffic sensors, automated with central control and central data processing. ALL WIRELESS and GREEN!
    Rate this comment: 12345

    DivineOracle
    11/19/2008
    Posts:3
    Avg Rating:
    4/5

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