Google plans on offering a white spaces database for free

The FCC may authorize several white spaces database providers

Google has thrown its name in the hat to become an administrator of white spaces databases. This is a reversal for Google, which officially said in February 2009, that it did not plan to be an administrator. However the company told me last month that it was considering the idea. Google's entry is a good thing for this nascent technology, as its proposal says that Google plans to offer the service for free.

Last month, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) sent out a call for bids for all those hoping to become administrators of the database that would allow devices to access broadband Internet on unlicensed TV signal spectrum, known as "white spaces." The FCC will grant permission to one or more database providers -- whether it will become a monopoly is still up in the air. The FCC rules would allow these white spaces providers to charge fees for the service.

Google has not only said that it intends to keep the costs associated with white spaces low, perhaps even free, it has also proposed a model for having multiple database providers of the technology. This too, would ensure that what started out as a networking technology dubbed "WiFi on steroids" stays as free as WiFi.

Specifically, here is Google's statement on charging for the service in the documents filed with the FCC.

"Google is a large public company whose financial statements are a matter of public record. Google has sufficient funds and access to capital to develop and operate the proposed Database for a full five-year term. We intend to operate the Database for a minimum of five years after being designated an administrator, as contemplated by the Commission’s rules.

"In the event we do not complete a five-year term, we will transfer to a successor entity the Database, the IP addresses and URLs used to access the Database, and the list of registered Fixed WSDs, as required by the rules.

"The Commission’s rules permit TVWS database administrators to charge fees for registering Fixed WSDs and temporary BAS links and providing query services.

"Consistent with its history of keeping user costs as low (or free) as possible,

"Google does not plan to implement per-query fees, which burden the user and would discourage database use. If any user fee were to be charged in connection with the Database, it probably would be more reasonable to adopt something akin to per-unit device registration fee. While Google has no current plans to rely on user fees, we will work with the Commission to develop an acceptable business model should it become necessary to do so."

Google's direct entry has another benefit. Right now, the first public trial white spaces network was created by Spectrum Bridge with equipment from Microsoft and Dell and the database run by Spectrum Bridge. Nothing wrong with that. But a portion of the funding for this project, as well as funding for Spectrum Bridge itself, came from venture capital firm TDF. Paul de Sa who is the FCC's Chief of the Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis is also on the board of TDF.

So the FCC could have been contemplating granting a potentially lucrative contract to one of its own.

I'm guessing that Spectrum Bridge will still get a contract to provide white spaces database services. (And again, nothing wrong with that, except I would personally feel better if the company didn't have a financial interest with an FCC insider.) But with Google's name in play, the FCC can't say it doesn't have a choice but to grant a monopoly. And competition will automatically force providers to rethink how they will charge user fees. I think most users would agree to a tiny one-time setup fee. But a monthly bill a la ISP or cable service? That would turn white spaces black in a hurry.

Please visit the Google Subnet home page for more news, blogs and podcasts. Sign up for the weekly Google newsletter. (Click on News/Google News Alert.) More blog posts from Google Subnet:

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