Wireless

Google is teaming up with other technology companies to develop specifications that the Federal Communications Commission can use in developing its "white space" database.

Google said earlier this week that it is joining several technology companies, including Comsearch, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Motorola and Neustar, to form a new coalition called the White Spaces Database Group, which will provide and compile into a database technical specifications for devices that will use white space spectrum.

White spaces are unused slivers of spectrum in the 700 MHz band that sit between broadcast TV channels. Google and others successfully lobbied the FCC last year to open up that spectrum for unlicensed use so that new wireless devices could access that spectrum.

In its ruling in November, the FCC set rules stating that devices using a combination of geolocation technology and spectrum-sensing technology could be approved for unlicensed white space use. Before sending or receiving data, devices will be required to access this database to determine available channels. And the device will not transmit in channels that are already known to be in use.

Technology companies such as Google, Motorola, Microsoft, and Dell had been lobbying the FCC for years to open this spectrum for unlicensed use. The hope is that the spectrum could be used to augment existing wireless services or eventually be used to create new wireless broadband services.

But TV broadcasters and wireless microphone companies have long opposed the use of this spectrum, saying it will interfere with their services. Google believes that using geolocation technology used along with spectrum sensing technologies will offer complete protection to licensed signals from harmful interference.

"We don't plan to become a database administrator ourselves, but do want to work with the FCC to make sure that a white spaces database gets up and running," Richard Whitt, Google's Washington Telecom and Media Counsel, said in a blog post earlier this week. "We hope that this will unfold in a matter of months, not years."

Google and other technology companies that wanted access to more free spectrum have gotten their wish.

On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously agreed to open up unused broadcast TV spectrum for unlicensed use.

Despite protests from TV broadcasters, entertainers, professional sports leagues, church pastors, and some congressional leaders, the FCC approved rules for devices using spectrum that sits between broadcast TV channels. This 300MHz to 400MHz of unused spectrum known as "white spaces" is considered prime spectrum for offering wireless broadband services because it can travel long distances and penetrate through walls.

"As an engineer, I was really gratified to see that the FCC decided to put science over politics," Larry Page, co-founder of Google, said on his blog. "For years the broadcasting lobby and others have tried to spread fear and confusion about this technology, rather than allow the FCC's engineers to simply do their work."

Technology companies such as Google, Motorola, Microsoft, and Dell have been lobbying the FCC for years to open this spectrum for unlicensed use. The hope is that the spectrum could be used to augment existing wireless services or eventually be used to create new wireless broadband services.

Page, who has been a strong advocate for opening white spaces, applauded the FCC 's move and said it would spur massive technological innovation.

"We will soon have 'Wi-Fi on steroids' since these spectrum signals have much longer range than today's Wi-Fi technology and broadband access can be spread using fewer base stations resulting in better coverage at lower cost," he said. "And it is wonderful that the FCC has adopted the same successful unlicensed model used for Wi-Fi, which has resulted in a projected 1 billion Wi-Fi chips being produced this year. Now that the FCC has set the rules, I'm sure that we'll see similar growth in products to take advantage of this spectrum."

But TV broadcasters and wireless microphone companies have long opposed the use of this spectrum, saying it will interfere with their services. In the past few weeks, these opponents, along with several congressional leaders, have urged the FCC to allow more public comments before the vote would take place. It came as little surprise that these groups were unhappy with the FCC's rules.

"While we appreciate the FCC's attempt to address significant issues raised by broadcasters and others, every American who values interference-free TV should be concerned by today's commission vote," Dennis Wharton, executive vice president of the National Association of Broadcasters, said in a statement. "By moving the 'white space' vote forward, the commission appears to have bypassed meaningful public or peer review in a proceeding of grave importance to the future of television."

The FCC, which has been examining this issue for six years, finished testing several proof-of-concept devices this summer to see if companies can develop products that use buffer spectrum between licensed broadcast channels. The commission's Office of Engineering Technology (OET) found that sensing technology alone was not 100 percent effective in preventing interference. But when coupled with geolocation technology, which uses GPS technology along with a data base of known services using certain spectrum channels, interference was greatly reduced.

The commission took these recommendations into account when establishing its rules, which will require fixed and portable unlicensed devices to include geolocation technology in addition to spectrum-sensing technology. For some low-power devices that do not use geolocation technology and use sensing technology exclusively, the FCC said it will require a much more rigorous approval process.

The FCC said it also had addressed issue for wireless microphone manufacturers and their customers. For example, the FCC said that locations where wireless microphones are used, such as sporting venues and event and production facilities, can be registered in the geolocation data base and will be protected in the same way as other services. And even though sensing technology isn't completely full-proof, the commission is requiring that devices use sensing technology to see if wireless microphones are being used in the same spectrum bands.

In addition to these rules, the FCC will require that all white space devices be tested and certified by the FCC Laboratory, just as they require testing and certification of all other wireless devices, including cell phones and wireless routers.

During the meeting, the FCC commissioners noted that Tuesday's vote was only the beginning. And they tried to assure the public that they would continue to listen to concerns of broadcasters and wireless microphone manufacturers and users to ensure that interference issues were mitigated.

Most people on Tuesday will likely have their eyes glued to their favorite Internet site or TV station looking for information about the historic presidential race. But another very important vote will be taking place at the Federal Communications Commission--a vote that some say could set a course of massive innovation in wireless broadband services.

On Tuesday, the FCC is set to vote on a proposal that will open up between 300MHz and 400MHz of unused spectrum throughout the country for unlicensed use. This spectrum, known as "white spaces," sits between broadcast TV channels. Today, this spectrum, which is sometimes used for wireless microphones, is mostly left vacant as a buffer to make sure there isn't interference between TV broadcasters.

Technology companies have been lobbying for more than two years to open this valuable spectrum for unlicensed use. They believe this spectrum, which is ideal for sending data wirelessly over long distances and penetrating through walls, can be used to enhance or create new wireless broadband services. And they say they can develop products and services that use this spectrum without interfering with services running on licensed spectrum in adjacent bands.

But incumbent spectrum license holders, such as TV broadcasters, say wireless devices that access this unlicensed spectrum will cause interference. And performers, church organizations, and sports leagues, which use wireless microphones, say that these new devices will be unable to adequately detect when this spectrum is already in use, causing interference.

The issue, which will come to a head on Election Day, has stirred up deep divisions pitting technology companies like Google and Microsoft against old guard TV broadcasters and even performers, such as Dolly Parton.

Despite efforts led by the National Broadcasters Association and others, it looks like the FCC, which had tested several proof-of-concept devices this summer, will likely support overwhelmingly the proposal to open up the "white spaces." While no one other than the five FCC commissioners has seen the proposal that was put together by Chairman Kevin Martin, insiders say that the commissioners feel it adequately addresses interference concerns that broadcasters and wireless microphone users have.

The lessons of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Companies like Google and Microsoft believe this spectrum could spur a major era of innovation around wireless products and services, essentially doing for wireless broadband what other unlicensed spectrum has done for short-range wireless technologies like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Similar interference issues were a concern when the FCC was considering the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. And "white space" supporters, such as Google co-founder Larry Page, pointed out earlier this year on a lobbying mission in Washington, D.C. that radio frequency engineers were been able to work through those issues.

The result has been an explosion in the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology. Millions of people throughout the world have used Wi-Fi routers to extend their broadband connections to create home networks. Almost every laptop shipped today has Wi-Fi embedded as a standard feature, and a growing number of portable devices like cell phones are also coming with Wi-Fi.

What's more, millions of people have also used Bluetooth-enabled devices like wireless headsets and other cell phone accessories.

Because the spectrum used to create these products is free, it's easier and cheaper for companies of any size to develop hardware or software applications that use the wireless spectrum. It also means that consumers can use the services for free.

Wireless operators are already starting to position themselves for the next generation of wireless. Sprint is building its 4G WiMax network. AT&T and Verizon Wireless have committed to using a 4G technology called LTE.

Both of these technologies use licensed spectrum. Verizon will be using spectrum it won in the FCC's 700MHz spectrum to build the service. And even though wireless carriers have talked in broad terms about new business models emerging for this next generation of wireless, it's unlikely the service will ever be free. And it's quite likely it could be at least as expensive as today's wireless service.

Technology companies hope that opening up "white spaces" will allow new players to enter the market to create services with different business models. For example, free access to spectrum could allow providers to offer service for free or at least at a much reduced price. This could potentially put competitive pricing pressure on traditional wireless carriers and force prices lower. And as more video is distributed via broadband, it could create entirely new services for viewing movies and TV shows.

Also on the agenda
Aside from "white spaces", the FCC is also considering other issues during Tuesday's meeting, including two announced mergers in the wireless market.

Verizon Wireless is seeking approval to buy Alltel for $5.9 billion plus the assumption of $22.2 billion in debt. Verizon won approval for the deal from the U.S. Department of Justice last week.

The FCC is also expected to approve the merger, which will make Verizon Wireless the largest wireless operator in the U.S. But like the U.S. Justice Department, which is requiring Verizon to sell off assets in 22 states, the FCC is also expected to put conditions on the merger.

The FCC is also expected to approve a deal to merge wireless spectrum from Sprint Nextel with spectrum allocated to a company called Clearwire. The companies plan to use the spectrum to build a nationwide broadband wireless network using a technology called WiMax. Google, Intel, Comcast, and Time Warner Cable have joined forces to invest billions into the $14.6 billion venture, which will be called Clearwire.

Meanwhile, another controversial issue on the FCC's agenda has been put on hold. Late Monday, Chairman Martin pulled an item that would have overhauled how phone companies pay each other for carrying long-distance traffic. The measure, which was criticized by consumer groups for potentially raising the cost of phone service, also would have dealt with reforming the Universal Service Fund, which subsidizes phone service in rural parts of the country. These issues are expected to be at least discussed, if not voted on, at the FCC's December 18 meeting.

When Dolly Parton speaks people listen. At least that's what opponents to an upcoming Federal Communications Commission vote on opening up "white space" spectrum hope.

Earlier this week, country western star Dolly Parton sent a letter to the FCC asking the agency to delay its vote to open up the unused spectrum for unlicensed use.

"As someone who uses the white spaces and knows the value of them for the work that I and many of my friends around the country, I ask the FCC to recognize the entertainment industry's valuable contribution to the cultural life," Parton wrote in her letter. "I can unequivocally confirm that the importance of clear, consistent wireless microphone broadcasts simply cannot be overstated. This industry relies on wireless technology and is in jeopardy of being irreversibly devastated by the commission's pending decision."

Parton is just one of several performers who in the past week have joined the fight against opening up so-called white space spectrum. In addition to Parton, Neil Diamond, the Dixie Chicks, Clay Aiken, and Guns N' Roses have also joined together in signing a letter to the FCC asking it to delay a vote on white spaces.

Several religious leaders including mega-church pastor Joel Osteen have also sent letters to the FCC asking for a delay as has the chairman of the MGM Mirage hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

This flood of opposition comes one week before the FCC is expected to vote on a proposal that would open up unused white space wireless spectrum that is currently used to buffer broadcast channels for unlicensed use.

After months of testing, the FCC's engineering office released a report two weeks ago essentially giving the green light to the FCC to allow unlicensed users to access this spectrum.

The report noted that geo-location technology, which uses a database to help devices identify and avoid spectrum bands known to already be in use, worked very well in avoiding interference. But the report's results were less conclusive about the use of sensing technology that would help prevent interference between white space devices and wireless microphones.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has already crafted a proposal in support of opening up the spectrum. But opponents say that the public should be given more time to review and comment on the report. /p>

Technology companies, which say opening up white space spectrum could create new wireless broadband services, say the time for comments is over. And it's time for the FCC to move the matter forward.

Sensing the public relations circus that is mounting around the opposition to this issue, several technology luminaries gave voice to their cause this week. Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Dell founder Michael Dell, and Microsoft founder and former CEO Bill Gates, have all sent letters and made calls to the FCC this week to encourage the agency to move forward with its planned vote.

Google has even mounted an online petition campaign to show support from consumers on the issue. On Tuesday, the company noted that more than 20,000 consumers support its FreeTheAirwaves.com petition online. Nearly 2,000 of those petitions supposedly were submitted to the FCC since Thursday, which was when the company posted a call to action on its Official Google Blog.

The big question now is whether the FCC will be swayed by singers Parton and Diamond's pleas for more time, or if the five-person commission will listen to Schmidt and Gates. At this point, I suppose it's anyone's guess. But my bet is still with Google and Microsoft.

Several lawmakers and professional sports organizations are urging the Federal Communications Commission to delay a vote on opening spectrum known as "white spaces" for unlicensed use.

On Friday, the Sports Technology Alliance, a trade group that represents eight major sports leagues, including the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and NASCAR, filed a petition with the FCC asking the agency to open up a comment period on a proposal that would open white-space spectrum for unlicensed use.

Several members of Congress, including eight who signed a single letter as well as House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.), have also sent letters to the FCC asking the agency to delay its planned November 4 vote on a white-space proposal.

The congressional leaders and sports leagues join the National Association of Broadcasters in asking for a 60-day comment period on the proposal.

"White spaces" are slivers of unused spectrum that sit between licensed broadcast channels in the 150MHz to 700MHz spectrum bands. The FCC tested several proof-of-concept devices this summer to see if companies can develop products that could use this spectrum without interfering with licensed spectrum services in these bands.

In a report released last week, the commission's Office of Engineering Technology concluded that for the most part devices with geolocation and sensing technologies could be used to avoid interference with broadcast TV channels. But tests regarding interference with wireless microphones, which also operate without an FCC license in that spectrum band, produced mixed results.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who supports the use of "white spaces," has already begun circulating a proposal for rules for white-space use that the agency will vote on at their open meeting on November 4.

Technology companies, such as Google and Microsoft, support the use of "white spaces," because they believe the spectrum can be used to help deliver new wireless broadband services. Earlier this week, Richard Whitt, Washington Telecom and Media Counsel for Google, wrote a blog urging people to write to the FCC to make sure the vote occurs on November 4. Whitt called the current petitions to the FCC merely stall tactics used to "derail the technology before the rules of the road are even written."

"The enormous promise of white spaces is simply too great to get bogged down now in politics," he said. "We're less than two weeks away from a vote that could transform the way we connect to the Internet. The time for study and talk is over."

Tech industry: Critics have had plenty of time
As a group, the technology industry has also filed comments with the FCC. The White Spaces Coalition, which represents these companies, said in a petition filed this week with the FCC that white-space critics have had more than enough opportunity to comment on this issue.

"After more than four years, multiple notice and comment periods, multiple rounds of lab and field testing, and over 30,000 filings by the public, broadcasters now accuse the commission of a rush to judgment on the white spaces," the coalition said. The group went on to say that these critics have also already filed more than 16 oral and written presentations with regard to the engineering report to the FCC.

Former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates also made a plea to the FCC this week to help move the process along. According to FCC filings, Gates talked to FCC commissioners and urged them to wrap up the issue by early November "to allow companies to begin the process of bringing the benefits of white spaces to consumers."

Not all lawmakers are opposed to voting on the white-space issue. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Chairman Martin urging the Commission to move forward and establish guidelines for the initial use of white-space technology as scheduled.

For its part, the FCC has said that it is considering all the petitions. But so far the agency has kept mum about whether it will delay the vote. Considering Chairman Martin's strong support for the vote, it seems unlikely the agency would delay its vote. But given the mounting pressure, it's difficult to say what it will do. So stay tuned.

The Federal Communications Commission is considering delaying its November 4 vote on using unlicensed white-space spectrum after broadcasters filed an emergency petition, according to Web site Ars Technica.

The article quotes FCC spokesman Rob Kenny as saying the agency is reviewing the broadcasters' request. But the article also made it sound like the FCC wasn't crazy about the idea of delaying the vote. Kenny notes in his comments that the white-space proceeding has been open for several years and there have already been several rounds of testing, which were open to the public for comment.

Big technology companies, such as Motorola, Microsoft, and Google, have been lobbying the FCC for more than a year to open up these channels known as white spaces. These slivers of spectrum have been used as buffers between TV stations. But if used, they could provide between 300MHz and 400MHz of unlicensed spectral capacity throughout the country that could be used by anyone.

The National Association of Broadcasters has opposed using the buffer spectrum, saying that the use of white spaces will interfere with licensed broadcast channels.

Last week, the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology released a report in which it concluded that detection technology along with geo-location technology worked well enough in proof-of-concept devices to avoid interference issues. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin also announced his support in favor of opening up white spaces for unlicensed use and said the issue will be voted on at the November 4 FCC meeting.

But the NAB and the nation's three major TV broadcasters argue that the report's findings indicate there are interference issues. On Friday, they filed an emergency petition asking the FCC to launch a 70-day public comment cycle on the report.

"The widespread WSD (white-space device) sensing failures, all documented in the report, rebut the report's conclusion that there has been a 'proof of concept'," the NAB said in its filing. "There is no basis for concluding that devices that rely on spectrum sensing only, without geo-location, are feasible."

The NAB also argues that the FCC has sought comment after other technical reports were issued in the past. For example, the group noted that the agency asked for public comment about a study on 3G, or third-generation, wireless use in the 2,500MHz to 2,690MHz band in 2001. It also asked for comment after issuing studies on media ownership in 2007.

Of course, it should come as little surprise that the broadcasters are unhappy with the FCC's support for white spaces. They have been fighting the proceeding tooth and nail from the beginning. While broadcasters say they oppose the use of white spaces because of interference issues, I wonder if they are also afraid that opening up this spectrum might hurt their business models years into the future.

The companies pushing hardest for white spaces are companies like Microsoft and Google. Today these companies don't compete directly with broadcasters. But as more video is distributed via the Internet, there's a chance that they could become competitors in the future. Google already competes in a minor way with its YouTube site. The white-space spectrum, which penetrates easily through walls and provides high capacity, could be used to extend broadband services wirelessly.

Perhaps a bigger threat to broadcasters are the companies that haven't been created yet. Opening up the white-space spectrum for free use could help spur the creation of new companies that could eventually compete with them. In many ways this is exactly what Chairman Martin hopes will happen.

The National Association of Broadcasters has filed an emergency petition with the Federal Communications Commission in an effort to change the agency's mind about supporting the use of "white space" spectrum.

The NAB, which has opposed the use of "white space" spectrum, said in a statement that it has filed a request for the commission to take public comments on a report that the FCC issued earlier this week stating that this spectrum could be opened up for unlicensed use without interfering with licensed spectrum holders. The report said that geolocation and sensing technologies were adequate in preventing interference. The FCC is set to vote on a proposal to open up this spectrum during its November 4 open meeting.

The NAB filed its request in conjunction with the Disney's ABC, CBS, General Electric's NBC, News Corp.'s Fox and other broadcasters.

"White spaces" are slivers of unused spectrum that sit between licensed broadcast channels in the 150MHz to 700MHz spectrum bands. The FCC tested several proof-of-concept devices this summer to see if companies can develop products that could use this spectrum without interfering with licensed spectrum services in these bands.

In a report released earlier this week, the commission's Office of Engineering Technology said that devices with geolocation and sensing technologies could be used without interference.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said this week that he will submit a proposal for the rest of the commissioners to vote on that would open up white spaces for unlicensed use. Several technology companies, including Motorola, Microsoft, and Google have been lobbying the FCC for more than a year to open up these channels, which would provide between 300MHz and 400MHz of unlicensed spectral capacity throughout the country that could be used by anyone.

These technology companies believe this spectrum, which is ideal for sending data wirelessly over long distances and penetrating through walls, can be used to enhance or create new wireless broadband services. And they say they can develop products and services that use this spectrum without interfering with services running on licensed spectrum in adjacent bands.

But incumbent spectrum license holders, such as TV broadcasters and cell phone operators, say wireless devices that access this unlicensed spectrum will cause interference in the neighboring spectrum bands.

The NAB said that the FCC's own report contradicts claims that devices using white space spectrum do not interfere with services using adjacent spectrum channels.

Companies lobbying the Federal Communications Commission to access unused spectrum known as "white spaces" won a big victory on Wednesday when Chairman Kevin Martin threw his weight behind the proposal citing findings in an FCC report that was also issued Wednesday.

Martin held a press conference with reporters early in the day in which he pledged his support for the use of the white space spectrum and announced that the issue would be up for vote at the FCC's next open meeting on November 4. Martin has long been in favor of opening up additional spectrum that can be used to offer wireless broadband services.

The FCC finished testing several proof of concept devices in real world tests this summer to see if companies can develop products that use buffer spectrum between licensed broadcast channels. This spectrum known has "white space" sits between broadcast TV channels in the 150 MHz to 700 MHs spectrum bands.

The commission's Office of Engineering Technology (OET) newly released report states that devices with geo-location and sensing technologies could be used with some conditions. But the report said devices with sensing-only technology would have to undergo another round of testing within the FCC labs.

Several technology companies, including Motorola, Microsoft, and Google have been lobbying the FCC for more than a year to open up these channels, which would provide between 300 MHz to 400 MHz of unlicensed spectral capacity throughout the country that could be used by anyone.

These technology companies believe this spectrum, which is ideal for sending data wirelessly over long distances and penetrating through walls, can be used to enhance or create new wireless broadband services. And they say they can develop products and services that use this spectrum without interfering with services running on licensed spectrum in adjacent bands.

But incumbent spectrum license holders such as TV broadcasters and cell phone operators, including Verizon Wireless, say wireless devices that access this unlicensed spectrum will cause interference in the neighboring spectrum bands.

The National Association of Broadcasters and groups that use wireless microphones to broadcast during live performances or sporting events, have also opposed the use of white spaces claiming that devices using this spectrum will interfere with their services.

Chairman Martin also addressed the wireless microphone issue during the press conference. He said the FCC will reserve several channels for wireless microphones to operate.

The OET will now submit its report to the rest of the FCC commissioners for review before the November 4 vote.

Google is lending its hand to help revive public access to a citywide Wi-Fi network abandoned by EarthLink.

Last week, The Milpitas Post Web site reported that a nonprofit group, made up of Google, I-Net Solutions, and some wireless equipment makers, is working with the city to operate the network to provide free wireless service to residents.

Under a new agreement, which has yet to be finalized, Milpitas will contract with the nonprofit to provide technical support and to run the service, which will provide Wi-Fi Internet access to the city government as well as free access to residents.

The free public access Wi-Fi network would operate in a similar way to the one offered by Google in Mountain View, Calif.

Google, in particular, has been a big proponent of citywide Wi-Fi networks. In a recent policy blog, Derek Slater, a policy analyst for Google, said that municipal Wi-Fi has gotten a bum rap from the press.

"Rather than prematurely writing off the idea, it's important to critically study municipal networks' successes and shortcomings," he said in the blog. "As we've written about before, America generally lags behind the rest of the developed world in broadband penetration and speeds, and we ought to be exploring many different solutions, both private and public, to bring fast, affordable Internet access to everyone."

Google is not only supporting the idea of free citywide Wi-Fi networks, but it's also pushing the Federal Communications Commission to open up new "white space" spectrum between broadcast TV channels that can also be used to provide free or inexpensive broadband access.

The Milpitas network was originally built by EarthLink, which spent $1 million on the infrastructure equipment. It charged a monthly fee to residents to access the service. But earlier this year, EarthLink abandoned the network when it exited the citywide Wi-Fi business. It handed the network assets over to the city, which has used it for police and fire public safety.

Milpitas is not the first of EarthLink's old networks to get help from new investors. EarthLink's wireless network in Philadelphia was supposed to be dismantled in June, but at the eleventh hour a group of local investors, called Network Acquisition Company, stepped in to save the network. It currently offers free Wi-Fi access in parts of the city.