Embracing its loss to AT&T and Verizon in the 700 MHz auction, Google has moved on to pursue WiFi 2.0 for Android in 2009. The search king wants a swath of wireless spectrum currently controlled by unused broadcast channels to be released and used for an ultra fast, far-reaching wireless connection.

The unused sections of spectrum are called “white spaces”, according to CNET, and they are capable of traveling long distances and penetrating walls. “It also possesses the bandwidth to support vastly faster data rates than today’s standard Internet service offerings–’WiFi on steroids’ or ‘WiFi 2.0′, as Richard Whitt, Google’s telecommunications counsel, put it . . . “

Specifically, that could mean gigabits-per-second speeds universally available for anyone with wireless access in the next couple of years.

TV broadcasters and microphone manufacturers are resisting the initiative because they are afraid that new devices like those using Google Android would interfere with their existing broadcast infrastructure.

To address those concerns, Google proposes a permission-based wireless signal that only broadcasts if other devices permit it to.

In hopes of nudging that process in its favor, Google’s new filing describes a multipronged approach aimed at avoiding interference. Building upon suggestions made in a filing by Motorola last fall, it said any new unlicensed TV white-spaces devices would be blocked from transmitting signals unless they had received a sort of “permission to transmit” message. Wireless microphones could also be outfitted with “inexpensive” beacons that would send out a signal to white-spaces devices that says ” don’t come here,” by Whitt’s description.

But that would require more testing, because people relying on the new devices for cell phone service wouldn’t be happy if walking by a microphone disabled their phone. It also opens a Pandora’s box of potential pranks where fake beacons could disable service.

If Google is able to free the wireless “white spaces” and introduce WiFi 2.0, it will fit well with the release of Android phones, which could roll out by this fall.

Related:

Google unveils ‘Android’ for cell phones, the iPhone killer

Google releases Google Maps Mobile 2.0 with “My Location”

Google Android handsets will work with Verizon Wireless

Opera mini arrives for Google’s Android, but there are no phones

Nokia and Motorola to go Android

Entry was posted on Monday, March 24th, 2008 at 7:25 pm under Google, Technology, Web2.0, Wi-Fi.  Print This Post

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