FCC opens up unused TV spectrum for wireless use

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Tuesday unanimously approved the opening up unused frequencies on the broadcast television spectrum for wireless use. In a 5-0 vote, the FCC voted to allow "new, sophisticated wireless devices to operate in broadcast television spectrum" known as "white spaces."

The new airwaves, known as white spaces, could be used to create wireless hot spots akin to those created by Wi-Fi technology that let users communicate wirelessly within homes and throughout neighborhoods. But unlike Wi-Fi zones, these airwaves will enable faster downloads of large data files, such as video clips and feature-length films, over larger distances and at a lower cost.

The vote came after more than six years of public scrutiny and decides the fate of airwaves that will be made available when television broadcasts switch over to digital signals from analog in February.

A broad coalition of opponents, including lawmakers, musicians, and broadcasters, argued that free public use of the airwaves would interfere with TV broadcasts and wireless microphones. But the FCC said the new rules "include numerous safeguards to protect incumbent services against harmful interference." "Wireless microphones will be protected in a variety of ways," it said.

FCC chairman Kevin Martin and fellow commissioners unanimously sided with tech giants Google, Microsoft, Dell, and Philips Electronics in ruling that Americans would be better served if the spectrum were made available for free public use.

Google is keen to build a wireless network for that spectrum on its own, or partner with others. Either way, Google would come close to controlling the internet experience on mobile devices. But Google and other internet companies have not been able to expand their markets into the wireless space mainly because of the stranglehold that carriers maintain on the cellular industry. (See: Google set to move into telcom space, to bid for wireless spectrum).

Google-branded wireless service would attract more eyeballs to its ad-based services. So far Google has managed to turn Web search into an $11 billion business on PCs by selling simple text ads that appear with search results. With ownership of spectrum thrown in, the market is set to become more lucrative.

Reactions to the decision were along expected lines. Google co-founder Larry Page welcomed the FCC move. "This is a clear victory for internet users and anyone who wants good wireless communications. Google has worked hard on this matter with other tech companies and public interest groups because we think that this spectrum will help put better and faster Internet connections in the hands of the public," he said.

"The FCC has taken a significant step to usher in a new era of technology, allowing for major investments in innovative wireless broadband, education, and government/enterprise applications to spur economic development," Motorola co-CEO Greg Brown said in a statement.

However, some other parties were not so happy. ''We are deeply disappointed with the FCC decision that could silence Broadway productions and those at other venues around the country,'' said Charlotte St. Martin, executive director of the Broadway League, a trade group representing the New York theatre industry.

In the coming days, the FCC is expected to issue a report outlining the rules and requirements for this spectrum.

To ensure that new networks and devices won't interfere with wireless microphones and TV stations, the FCC has set low power limits on white-space equipment.

The agency also mandated that devices use sensing and so-called geo-location capabilities - essentially, databases that show proximity to other users of the spectrum - to lessen chances of glitches.