By Dave Hendricks

(AXcess News) Washington - Google co-founder Larry Page on Wednesday urged federal regulators to allow public use of empty airwaves reserved for TV stations.

That move would spur innovation, reduce the cost of Internet access and extend high-speed connections to hard-to-reach rural areas, according to a slew of tech industry heavyweights and public interest groups. These unused portions of the public airwaves, called "white space," vary from region to region.

If approved, the space left vacant by TV broadcasters could become what proponents call "wifi on steroids," with a higher data capacity and better signal strength through walls than current wireless Internet connections. Public interest groups support the proposal, saying it will help extend high-speed Internet over long distances and make access easier in cities, where buildings block wireless signals.

"All that static you see on your TV, that's just a wasted resource," Page said, adding the same was once true of a smaller portion of the radio spectrum. He and others spoke at a press conference.

The Federal Communications Commission licenses use of the airwaves to broadcasters and others.  White space proponents say allowing use of unused but licensed airwaves would spur innovation.

Federal regulators decided to allow unlicensed use of the smaller section, considered poor quality and easily disrupted by other devices, during the 1980s. Today billions use "junk spectrum" for wireless Internet access and Bluetooth headsets.

The white space between television stations holds similar potential, Page said, but can't be used unless the FCC allows unlicensed use of the vacant space.

"All the FCC needs to say is ‘We will allow people to use the spectrum in an unlicensed way as long as they don't interfere,'" Page said.

Microsoft, Dell and Motorola all support using white space. All are members, along with Google, of the Wireless Innovation Alliance, which is asking the commission to approve use of white space before a new administration shakes up the commission next year.

The National Association of Broadcasters fears the use of white space, originally designed to create barriers between stations and prevent interference, will disrupt television programming.

"Interference is not something we're willing to negotiate on," said Kristopher Jones, an association spokesman.

White space proponents say they've successfully tested the technology, which doesn't interfere with television. The association and other groups, including wireless microphone manufacturers, have repeatedly bashed prototype white-space devices for failing the commission's interference tests.

Asked whether the association would support interference-free white-space technology, Jones responded: "I think at this point it would be unwise to comment on tests that have yet to yield positive results."

Various lawmakers have lined up behind both groups. The discussion could intensify later this year if the commission discusses white space at its November meeting.

Source: Scripps Howard Foundation Wire