Google to FCC: Free The Airwaves

On Monday Google launched FreetheAirwaves.com -- a Website dedicated to convincing the Federal Communications Commission to release control of the radio airwaves, three-quarters of which are currently unused.

Google was joined in its endeavor by advocacy groups such as the Wireless Innovation Alliance. The founders of FreeTheAirwaves.com argue that releasing these unused frequencies to be used to carry wireless Internet will be a key factor in making Internet access affordable and accessible to all across the U.S.

FreeTheAirwaves.com invites supporters to sign an online petition, and to record video testimonials and upload them YouTube.

"For quite some time we've been talking about the potential of the unused airwaves between broadcast TV channels (called "white spaces") to provide affordable, high-speed wireless Internet connectivity nationwide. For this to happen, the Federal Communications Commission must allow unlicensed use of this spectrum. If you care about the future of the Internet, now is the time to take action. The FCC has completed its field testing and is expected to make a ruling in the coming months," said Minnie Ingersoll, Product Manager, Alternative Access Team, in a statement on the official Google blog.

"At its core, Free the Airwaves is a call to action for everyday users. You don't need to be a telecommunications expert to understand that freeing the 'white spaces' has the potential to transform wireless Internet as we know it."