Tussle for alternative wireless widens to ‘white spaces’

Dell, Google, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft this week led the formation of a new group to encourage the FCC to make available the “white spaces” between digital TV channels for use for wireless broadband services.

The Wireless Innovation Alliance has launched a PR and lobbying campaign in the hopes of convincing the FCC to set “clear, reasonable regulations” enabling such white space services.

White space wireless broadband first cropped up in 2006, when the FCC voted to open up the spectrum for use by unlicensed devices. A group of companies — assembled under the name the White Spaces Coalition, which includes many of the same players as the Wireless Innovation Alliance — submitted prototype devices to the FCC it claimed could be used to access 10 Mb/s-plus wireless services.

Since that time, white space efforts have slowed, due in large part to interference concerns raised by early testing of white space devices. The impending FCC auction of 700 MHz spectrum — which counts Google among its bidders, alongside service providers AT&T and Verizon — has also overshadowed the white spaces concept.

The National Association of Broadcasters has been most vocal in countering the white spaces proposals, claiming inevitable interference with their emerging over-the-air digital TV services.

The new Wireless Innovation Alliance seems well armed to fight the white space battle, particularly on the public relations front. Overall, the group comprises more than 15 organizations and includes supporting statements from U.S. Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) as part of its launch, flexing its lobbying muscle.

Last week, Google filed white space testing results with the FCC, detailing the initial phase of an ongoing trial the company is conducting. Google claimed the tests showed that wireless service in the white space would not interfere with adjacent digital television service.

In related news, Chris Sacca, head of special initiatives for Google, has left the company. Sacca contributed heavily to many of Google’s telecom initiatives, including its Wi-Fi tests, Net neutrality lobbying efforts and 700 MHz bidding plans.

Sacca said he left Google to pursue angel investing. His departure does not seem to signal any lessening of Google’s interest in wireless and telecom but nonetheless represents the loss of a key leader in those efforts.