TV white space is the currently underutilized broadband signals that are allocated to TV use but has recently been targeted (primarily by Google) as a potential source for expanding WiFi coverage throughout the United States.
The Future of White Space & WiFi
Utilizing TV whitespace for WiFi connection will allow ubiquitous WiFi connectivity throughout the United States – meaning, more WiFi coverage in rural and remote places, and also more robust WiFi coverage in built-up areas.
It’s obvious to me why Google would have such a strong desire in the utilization of TV whitespace. Their (Google’s) main objective is to organize the world’s data. And if that data is not readily accessible in all places, then isn’t it counterproductive to organize all the data?
But even more than just their desire to organize data, I see their ambitions with TV whitespace as a means to increase ad revenue. After all, if more people can access the web in more places, would it make sense then that more ad impressions could be generated as well? Of course, it does…
I really see it as a win-win for us, the consumer and user of mobile devices. With Google being driven to increase ad revenue, they are going to push hard for the utilization of TV whitespace. But through their efforts, we the users will benefit from web access in remote places – and faster web access in built-up/metro areas.
Here’s Google 20 page submission to the FCC today:
Here’s Larry Page – Google co-founder – talking about the ambitions of utilizing TV whitespace: