Google wants to free the airwaves
Written by admin on August 20th, 2008 in devices and gadgets.
Google has launched a new campaign to “Free The Airwaves”. The campaign centers around the company’s desire for the FCC to open up the unused airwaves between broadcast television channels. Allowing for unlicensed use of this spectrum would open up the possibility for mobile devices to take advantage of high-speed wireless Internet connectivity nationwide.
A website dedicated to Google’s “Free The Airwaves” campaign includes information about the advantages of enabling use of the “white space” spectrum. Besides informative articles and links; the website also contains YouTube videos featuring proponents of the campaign. Since the FCC is expected to rule on the use of the spectrum in a few months, Google has also allowed for visitors to the website to sign a petition in favor of Google’s stance on the issue.
Clearly, Google is hoping for some “people power” when it comes to getting the FCC to open up the spectrum. Google has some pretty strong opponents including manufacturers of wireless microphones in addition to television and radio groups fearful of interference which they believe could happen should the spectrum be made available.
Google’s pretty big, but that’s a large group to go up against so it’s probably not a bad idea for the search company to solicit help from John and Jane Q Public.
Read more at the Google press release and the Free the Airwaves website.
Tags: laptops, video, cable, gaming
