Google's $4.6 billion plan for an open wireless Internet
<img src="http://upload.userbase.be/upload/tn_Google_wifi.jpg" align="left">"Would that all kings were so benevolent. Google announced today it would set aside at least $4.6 billion to purchase a slice of the public airwaves in an upcoming government auction of radio spectrum. The company is imposing one condition on its money: It will only participate, it says, if the Federal Communications Commission requires that all bidders for the radio waves be forced to adhere to principles of Internet "openness."
This is huge news, though to understand its implications you've got to know what's been going on in the regulatory debate over the next wireless Internet. More than a decade ago, the government mandated that all TV broadcasters transmit their signals digitally, freeing up a huge slice of public airwaves for other uses. In January, the FCC will hold a public auction of the vacated radio spectrum -- it's known at the 700 MHz frequency -- and traditional communications companies such as AT&T and Verizon are salivating at the chance to grab up the space.
The 700 MHz airwaves will be used for data; wireless companies talk of a fast, robust, nationwide wireless Internet -- but that's exactly what's so worrying about the prospect of the spectrum going to the telecom firms, which have not generally favored openness on their networks. On today's cellphone networks, wireless companies won't let people run the applications or devices they choose -- all major carriers, for instance, prohibit their customers from adding Skype to their cellphones, and they frown upon letting you use phones that also do Wi-Fi (because if you're using Wi-Fi, you're not ringing up minutes on the cell data plan). "
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Bron : machinist.salon.com
Zie ook de Google Blog : Our commitment to open broadband platforms
Zie ook Tweakers : 'Google heeft 4,6 miljard dollar voor etherfrequentie over'
