WASHINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) - Internet search engine
Google Inc gave U.S. regulators on Monday a proposal
for allowing the airwaves between broadcast channels to be used
for mobile broadband services.
In comments filed with the Federal Communications
Commission, Google said it would propose an enhanced system to
prevent wireless devices operating in the so-called "white
space" from interfering with adjacent television channels and
wireless microphones.
Google said the enhancements "will eliminate any remaining
legitimate concerns about the merits of using the white space
for unlicensed personal/portable devices."
The FCC currently is testing equipment to see if they can
make use of the white space spectrum without interfering with
television broadcasts.
The filing comes less than two weeks after Microsoft
co-founder Bill Gates urged the FCC to free up the white space
spectrum so it could be used to expand access of wireless
broadband service using Wi-Fi technology.
Google and Microsoft are part of a coalition of technology
companies that has been lobbying the FCC to allow unlicensed
use of white space spectrum.
The group also includes Dell, Intel Corp,
Hewlett-Packard Co and the north American unit of
Philips Electronics.
However, the idea is opposed by U.S. broadcasters and
makers of wireless microphones, who fear the devices would
cause interference.
A proposal being studied by the FCC would create two
categories of users for the airwaves: one for low-power,
personal, portable devices, and a second group for fixed
commercial operations.
The proposal would require that the devices include
technology to identify unused spectrum and avoid interference.
(Reporting by Peter Kaplan; editing by Tim Dobbyn)
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