Technology Companies Propose Using Unused TV Airwaves to Deliver High-Speed Internet Service

Several American technology companies including Microsoft and Google are seeking regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to offer high-speed Internet service over unused TV airwaves. However, US television broadcasters are mounting significant resistance to this proposal, claiming that this service could interfere with existing TV signals. The proposed new service would utilize unused and unlicensed TV airwaves (known as "white spaces") to offer Internet access onto computers and mobile devices. These white spaces are located between channels 2-51 on TVs that are not receiving satellite or cable transmissions. The technology companies claim that this service will benefit rural Americans because they will have access to high-speed Internet service at a much lower cost than cable or telephone-based service. A recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project concluded that only 30% of rural Americans have high-speed Internet service as compared to 49% of suburbanites and 52% of urban Americans. One of the major reasons why so many rural areas lack high-speed Internet service is the absence of telecommunications infrastructure to deliver such services. But the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is worried about unintended consequences from offering such an alternative high-speed service. According to a NAB spokesperson, "If they (the technology companies) are wrong, once those devices get introduced that means that people won't be able to get clear television pictures." Another concern is that the use of white spaces to deliver Internet services could cause interference with audio systems at concerts and sporting events. Meanwhile, supporters of the new technology such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Philips Electronics, claim that the delivery of high-speed Internet service via white spaces on TVs could spur technological innovation. For example, a Dell representative said that white-space spectrum could be used to stream audio and video throughout a house without wires. For more information, see: http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/news/editorial/16919425.h Summary by: Andrei Edwards