The commercials for the digital switch for TV’s have already begun popping up in between our favorite programs. The switch from analog to digital is slated to be completed by February of next year. So just what is going to happen to all those unused airwaves once they become unusable for TV viewing?

Some portion of the TV spectrum has already been sold. Verizon is now the proud owner of the 700mhz band on the spectrum. Google had put in a bid for the frequency, but lost out to Verizon in the end. Google has not given up in the fight for more unused airwaves though.

Google is now lobbying with the FCC, to allow them to use “white space” TV channels for devices. What you might not know about white space TV channels, is that they are some of the most powerful airwaves in commercial use. They are so powerful in fact, that Google is looking to use these airwaves to provide Wi-fi across vast distances in the country. If Google were able to garner permission to use these airwaves for data transmission, it would become one of the most powerful internet providers in the country.

Instead of wanting to start up an ISP, or its’ own network, Google is wanting to provide these Wi-fi airwaves to the masses. They aren’t just doing this out of the kindness of their heart though. Google is in the process of rolling out Android powered smart phones later this year. Android is an open source platform, which is being utilized by many different cell phone carriers. With the white space airwaves providing long distance Wi-fi, the Android powered phones would become more powerful and convenient to use.

There are a couple of hitches in Google’s plan. First, they would have to get the FCC to sign off on their plan, as they are in charge of the white space airwaves at the moment. Second, the FCC isn’t scheduled to release any rules of spectrum use until later this year. Also, if Google were to somehow be able to go through with their plan, there would be interference issues that they would have to tackle. As the spectrum they would be using would be along the same lines as wireless microphones and TV signals.

So it looks like a tough road ahead for Google. But if they were able to somehow implement their plan, then internet browsing would definitely never be the same. Let’s start the chant…Wi-fi For Everyone…Wi-fi For Everyone…

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 6:44 am and is filed under Consumer Electronics, Internet, Telecommunications. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.