Innovation Toronto » wi fi

Google backs ‘white space’ wi-fi

ron — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:35:53 +0000

Google is pressing the US government to allow the unlicensed frequencies of TV “white space” to be used for wi-fi.

The firm has written an open letter to regulators saying the US spectrum was a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

White space is unused blocks of frequencies in-between channels broadcast on analogue airwaves.

“The vast majority of viable spectrum in this country simply goes unused, or else is grossly underutilised,” wrote Google’s Richard Whitt in the letter.

Hopes for Wireless Cities Fade as Internet Providers Pull Out

ron — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 22:54:37 +0000

photo credit: rsepulveda

PHILADELPHIA — It was hailed as Internet for the masses when Philadelphia officials announced plans in 2005 to erect the largest municipal Wi-Fi grid in the country, stretching wireless access over 135 square miles with the hope of bringing free or low-cost service to all residents, especially the poor.

Municipal officials in Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and 10 other major cities, as well as dozens of smaller towns, quickly said they would match Philadelphia’s plans.

V.C. Nation - A Post-Google Fraternity of Investors

ron — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 14:42:39 +0000

Librado Romero/The New York Times

“I had one of the best jobs in the world,” said Chris Sacca, who left Google. “But there is a world of opportunity.”

SAN FRANCISCO — Chris Sacca had a plum job as the Wi-Fi guru at Google. But with his stock options fully vested, he left the Internet search company this month for a new career as a venture capitalist.

Mr. Sacca, 32, joins a growing number of Google millionaires hoping to parlay their newfound wealth into even greater riches by bankrolling technology start-ups.

Andrea Zurek, a former manager for a Google ad system, left in October. She is considering an investment in a company started by another Google alumnus.