[1st-mile-nm] Google - Open - White Spaces - Rural

[Richard Lowenberg]

I'm curious about this step by Google and
if there may be rural NM opportunities?
Go to the online story, for many active links.
RL

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White spaces anyone? Google opens its spectrum database to developers

http://gigaom.com/2013/11/14/white-spaces-anyone-google-opens-its-spectrum-database-to-developers/

By Kevin Fitchard

Google is removing the velvet ropes from its white spaces database in 
the U.S. Any device maker can now search their locales for unused TV 
frequencies and stake a claim on those airwaves.

All of those unused frequencies that linger between TV channels, called 
white spaces, are ripe for the taking, and starting today network 
builders and device makers can start using them, with a little help from 
Google.

The internet giant was one of a handful of companies approved by the 
FCC to run a white spaces database, and on Thursday Google is opening up 
that database to all comers. That will allow would-be networkers to 
identify unused TV spectrum in their area and stake a claim on the 
airwaves.

While typically unlicensed spectrum is a free-for-all – anyone is free 
to set up a Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth link wherever you please – white 
spaces are managed airwaves. The spectrum is reserved for TV broadcast 
use, but where there is no TV signal present (or other permitted usage, 
such as wireless microphones) the public is free to tap it.

The thing is TV stations use different frequencies in different 
markets. In order to ensure these new unlicensed networks don’t wipe CSI 
off the airwaves in your neighborhood, white space users need to 
register their use to a geographical database like Google’s so they 
don’t interfere with local transmissions.

In urban markets, the TV airwaves are pretty crowded so at least in the 
U.S., the primary use for white spaces is going to be for rural 
broadband, though companies like Neul have promised to build networks 
here that would serve as a connectivity web for the internet of things. 
Since its database came online in July, Google has been testing it with 
GE on industrial communications applications.

A white spaces broadband network has been live in Wilmington, N.C., 
since early 2012, using a database provided by Spectrum Bridge (see 
disclosure). We’ve started seeing other innovative uses for white spaces 
pop up all over the country. Wireless broadband radio maker Redline has 
been working with oil and gas companies and even mine operators to use 
white spaces to carry data into the bowels of the Earth. Globally, we’re 
seeing white space trials from the U.K. to South Africa.

Google is launching a developer API that lets anyone access the 
database, but it’s allowing device makers to create commercial accounts 
through which they can register their transmitters in the database. 
Adaptrum is the first device maker onboard, working with the Air.U 
consortium to set up shop in the unlicensed airwaves surrounding West 
Virginia University’s campus. That’s just a starting point, though. 
Air.U has plans to launch networks on college campuses nationwide.



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Richard Lowenberg, Executive Dir.
1st-Mile Institute, 505-603-5200
P.O.Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504
www.1st-mile.org  rl at 1st-mile.org
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