Google Guru Prods FCC Over Wi-Fi

"White space" would increase wireless Internet access
By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff
Posted May 23, 2008 11:46 AM CDT
Google Guru Prods FCC Over Wi-Fi
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, talks with Google co-founder Larry Page, right.    (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Google co-founder Larry Page urged Congress and the FCC this week to open up access to unused television airwaves to broaden the reach of wireless Internet. Page asserted that the unused waves, called "white space," would increase Wi-Fi range in rural areas and help provide Internet capability to the entire country, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Groups such as wireless microphone manufacturers and sports leagues are protesting the  use of white space because it may interfere with their equipment. The FCC is silent on whether it will license the unused TV waves, and will likely wait for companies to present a device that causes no disruptions before making a decision. Page said such a device is on its way. "I bet 100% that it will happen. It's just a question of what year it happens in," he said. (More Larry Page stories.)

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