Google has asked the FCC to open up the so-called "white space" of unused spectrum allocated for television broadcasting so that it could operate new wireless phones and devices based on its Android platform, which mobile equipment makers plan to use to develop Internet-ready phones.

Rick Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel, said in a letter to the FCC, that auctioning of unused white space could offer new opportunities for wireless communications.

"This large amount of spectrum, coupled with advanced signal processing techniques made practical by the exponential growth in computing power (Moore's law), can make data rates in the gigabits-per-second available in the not-to-distant future," Whitt wrote. "As a result, we soon could see a low-cost and open infrastructure, supporting a near-unlimited bandwidth Internet service, improving every year as computer and radio technologies continue to evolve. This would be akin to a faster, longer range, higher data rate WiFi service -- "WiFi 2.0" if you will."

This unused spectrum has potential to provide infrastructure to serve underdeployed rural areas, as well as first responders and other the public safety uses, he wrote.

"Coupled with the "Android" open source platform for mobile consumer devices, TV white spaces can provide uniquely low-cost mobile broadband coverage for all Americans," Whitt wrote. "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 appearing commercially later this year, and would be an excellent match for the TV white space."

The white space airwaves could become available in February 2009, when TV broadcasters switch from analog to digital signals, Reuters reported.

In the FCC's 700 MHz auction ending last week, Google failed to win a spectrum allocation but succeeded in having the FCC endorse open access. "In the context of TV white space, consumers will be able to enjoy robust access to the Internet, including the ability to download and utilize any lawful applications or content that is desired," he wrote.

The idea is opposed by U.S. broadcasters and makers of wireless microphones, who fear the devices would cause interference, Reuters reported.

But Whitt said "spectrum-sensing technologies" under use now by the military, could be deployed to automatically check to see whether a channel was open before using it, thereby avoiding interference with other devices. He said the enhancements "will eliminate any remaining legitimate concerns about the merits of using the white space for unlicensed personal/portable devices."

Google proposed a "safe harbor" for wireless microphones in channels 36-38. No TV white space device would be permitted to transmit in these channels. This will also protect medical telemetry devices and radio astronomy services, which are licensed to use channel 37.