California’s San Jose hosted yesterday the Wireless Communications Association International conference where the main focus was set on the decision reached three days ago by the Federal Communications Commission on the use of white spaces.

The biggest promoters of the new direction of broadband usage are Google’s cofounder and President of Products Larry Page and FCC’s Chairman Kevin Martin. The two have expressed on numerous occasions their point of view, stating that this is the best way of ensuring the nation’s progress. "I think the debate is, 'Is this going to be really useful, or really, really, really useful?'" said Mr. Page, referring to the initiative. The white space access is expected to significantly boost productivity in many areas by ensuring a fast access to information in certain places where such data was unavailable or hard to obtain.

The companies interested in this newly opened market are already working on chipsets for these products which will use the white spaces. The first signs should surface over the next 12 to 18 months when the first models are scheduled for their market release.

The airwaves, which are found in the 700 MHz band, have been compared to Wi-Fi, but are expected to be far more useful and also significantly cheaper. "With white spaces you need many fewer (transmitters than Wi-Fi) and the cost difference is going to be astounding, hugely different," Mr. Page explained. "In terms of how people use the Internet, how they communicate with each other, how rural areas will be able to have connectivity, this will be a tremendously important thing."

Mr. Kevin Martin also addressed the matter and the many issues surrounding it, as there are several concerns about the interferences that might occur as a result of the broadband’s use. Broadcasters and live performers appear very worried with this particular aspect, as they claim that TV signals and wireless microphones will surely experience problems. "We certainly benefited tremendously from people like Larry who came in and tried to explain both how it was to be done without interfering and how important it was to get the connectivity he was talking about," Martin said, as he needed the support in order to get his message across.

This decision represents a significant step in the country’s quest for wireless innovation, as it is believed to be a very good way of stimulating the release of new technology and research. Mr. Page concluded that everything is set just as it should be in order to make their work easy and efficient. They have the required technology and the innovation and also a government willing to take care of the regulatory aspects in order to facilitate the process. He also added that the country’s officials should continue to encourage an infrastructure with a good high-speed wireless connection everywhere, as it is extremely good for the population and also for the economy.

Besides Google, other companies such as Microsoft and Motorola are also extremely interested in the use of these white spaces as they will provide significant revenue opportunities.