Google Pushes FCC To Allow Android to Run On White Space

Boston (dbTechno) - Google has apparently sent a letter to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. The letter is in regards to unused airwaves known as white space. Google has stated that they believe that Android could be a platform to use the white space for wireless online access across the United States.

Google is a very outspoken supporter of allowing devices to use the white space. The white space consists of unused TV broadcast space, which many companies, including Microsoft, have argued could be used for wireless data services.

Google’s general counsel, Richard Whitt wrote in the letter that “there is no benefit to allowing this spectrum to lie fallow.”

The company believes that Android, combined with white space, could make for cheap mobile broadband coverage for all across the U.S.

Whitt stated “As announced last fall, over thirty other companies are working with Google through the Open Handset Alliance to develop a fully open source software stack, including the operating system, middleware, and user applications. Android-powered handsets should begin commercially later this year, and would be an excellent match for the TV white space.”

This comes just at the end of the FCC 700MHz spectrum auction, which resulted in Verizon Wireless, AT&T, as well as Frontier Wireless coming out as big winners.