The 700 MHz spectrum auctions have concluded, but another battle is raging in Washington over the "white space spectrum" -- the unused analog television frequencies -- which will affect the future of wireless Internet in the U.S.
Technology companies, which are lobbying the FCC and Congress, say using the white space for wireless broadband could unleash a wave of innovation.
Unfortunately, their campaign typifies inside-the-Beltway spin.Although lobbyists frame many of their arguments in terms of “innovation” and what’s best for “The People,” the bottom line is, simply, the bottom line.
Huge corporations are jockeying for power to use the white space spectrum to sell hardware, software, and services that are more likely to enrich them than to serve the public interest. But, in my view, the white space spectrum should be allocated -- for free or with very modest fees -- to smaller companies, especially those trying local or regional wireless initiatives.
What’s at stake is analog television spectrum for channels 2 through 51 that comprise 54 MHz to 698 MHz.In February 2009, TV stations are moving to digital broadcasts and many of the channels within that spectrum will be empty.The characteristics of this vacant bandwidth (“white space”) are excellent for traveling relatively far distances and penetrating walls inside buildings.As a result, these channels would be great for mobile data applications.
Google (Nasdaq: GOOG), which was instrumental in swaying the FCC to mandate more open hardware and software requirements for the 700 MHz licensees, is a prime mover in the white space initiative.On March 21, 2008, Google sent a letter to the FCC asking the agency to allocate white space for unlicensed use for portable devices.Employing corporate/Washington hyperbole, Google called the proposed allocation “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide ubiquitous wireless broadband access to all Americans.”
Handsets incorporating the Google/Open Handset Alliance mobile platform, Android, combined with the spectrum “can provide uniquely low-cost mobile broadband coverage for all Americans,” the letter proclaimed (time to strike up John Philip Sousa's “Stars and Stripes Forever”).Joining Google on its march to wireless Internet glory is the new Wireless Innovative Alliance (WAI) lobbying group.Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT), Dell Inc. (Nasdaq: DELL), and Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) are among the members.
Not so fast!
Not surprisingly, TV and radio broadcasters are aiming to stop or amend the Google proposal.They have at least one powerful argument:radio interference from millions of devices on unlicensed channels.The white space devices submitted to the FCC for testing, from Microsoft and Motorola, have all failed miserably to detect and avoid existing TV channels.
Wireless microphone manufacturer Shure, the organizations that use these microphones -- such as the NFL, MLB, NBA, and ESPN and the American Arts Alliance -- operate on the white space spectrum.They argue that unlicensed spectrum devices would cause radio interference.Even the healthcare industry is concerned about interference with medical devices.Lobbying notwithstanding, these are legitimate concerns.
The CTIA, which represents the wireless industry, is lobbying against unlicensed spectrum not only because of potential interference, but on the premise that spectrum auctioning continues to work. What the CTIA doesn’t say is that its cellular operator members have spent billions of dollars for wireless spectrums and don’t want other companies to get it for free.
The National Association of Broadcasters also plays the interference card.But, as a representative of the broadcast industry, it has lobbied against FM radio, cable TV, satellite TV and DVRs -- as the WIA points out.
I believe that with enough money and technological savvy, radio interference can be overcome.Also, spectrum auctions favor wealthy incumbent corporations that gobble up licenses at the expense of smaller, innovative companies.For once, let’s try to keep the entrenched corporations from stifling innovation.
Spectrum is indeed great real estate. A little piece of "nothing" that could generate billions of dollars.....typically with an investment of hundreds of millions or billions!
It will be interesting to see how the white space issue turns out. I'm hoping there will be free or very inexpensive spectrum for people to experiment.
There are indeed many wireless technologies. But spectrum space is almost always valuable, if not now, then in the future. Indeed, that's why some companies and organizations, such as cellular operators and the CTIA, are against giving away white space spectrum.
I see the white space spectrum as a great place for experimentation. We need spectrum allocations that don't require people or companies to spend millions of dollars for the spectrum.
Also, I don't think the cost to consumers for using other spectrum, such as 3G, will be "so cheap." The U.S. cellular operators for several years have kept data prices about the same, such as $60 per month to use a cellular modem. And, even that is capped at 5GB per month.
The only way data prices will decrease is if there's competition, such as from WiMAX, white space services or others.
Hi Paul,
At least one device, perhaps more (I don't remember) was sent to the FCC for testing. So this is perhaps the third time a device (or devices) will be tested.
The white spaces initiative isn't dying. Also, I think interference problems can be solved.
I don't know if the whitespace spectrum will become economic viable in a long run.
of course this is my speculation there are too many wireless technologies coming into play that directly compete with the overall fundamentals for utilizing a whitespace
as we all know there is no free lunch even when we connect to the Internet
from a free Wi-Fi somebody is still paying the bill if there were not the other
wireless technologies emerging I could see the whitespace coalition
having advantage in the next two to three years but by the time they put in infrastructure and convince consumers to buy their hardware
the prices for high-speed broadband will be so cheap I don't think people will want to
What is the current position on the battle ovet the white space spectrum. It has been reported that some testings has been conducted and the findings have been the subject of debates also according to this article: Wireless mics at center stage as white space testing begins
It's a complicated issue, as you highlight and it's not just black or white. But the cellular operators typically want it that way -- spectrum auctions have worked (worked for the cellular operators!), so let's not change it in any way to significantly affect our ability to make as much money as possible while keeping out as many competitors as possible. That's the capitalist system (more or less), but bandwidth is more of a public trust.
By the way, for the initial cellular allocation, the FCC in conjunction with administrative law judges awarded licenses based on comparative hearings that tried to judge the best applications. The proponents of "let the marketplace decide" eventually won though, supposing that companies paying the most amount of money for spectrum would have the most incentives to use it most efficiently.
For nationwide networks, the fact of life is that only huge corporations can afford to build and maintain them....unless the government does it. The U.S. government wants billions of dollars for its coffers, so it's unlikely to want to stop that flow. So there's a cozy arrangement between the huge corporations and the government.
So the small, flexible, more experimental companies get crumbs. I'd like to see the white spaces used for more than crumbs so that virtually anyone can use the spectrum as long as it doesn't interfere with other networks and devices.
I would think that they can allocate some unlicensed spectrum and that anyone can work with it but at the end of the day, as you very well say, only the big wireless companies can provide the type of service users are looking for.
I don't see how this can be left open under any scenario - at least under normal circumstances. Big companies won’t allow it and the Government wants the extra money that can come from another auction.
Regarding the technology, it can surely be developed. Apparently the Defense department has been using it for years - like with every other technology. But it's not as the ones we can find in today's wireless systems.
And someone mentioned that big companies limit innovation. That might be true, but not nearly as much as the Government limits it. 3G would had been up and running in a lot more places if it weren't for policies and government bureaucracy regarding relocations and managing secondary licenses.
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