Wireless Internet for free

In my July 2002 article, I covered the race between 3G – capable of transmitting high-speed data to your mobile device – and Wi-Fi that can deliver high-speed wireless Internet from landlines to short ranges. Though both are not yet as apparent in text-crazy Philippines, it’s just a matter of time when economies of scale will drive its rollout and user demand abounds. Such is the current case in countries with both high broadband and mobile penetration rates. I still hold the opinion though that both should not be thought of as competitors, but rather as complementary technologies. Imagine yourself as an executive with a wireless LAN-equipped laptop being able to access the Internet at Starbucks and the MRT, where you can seamlessly roam onto our local telcos’ 3G networks while on the move. This is most probable to happen next year, as half of new laptops sold will be installed with wireless connections and Intel hopes to start incorporating wireless transmitters to its new chips. Notice both wireless access scenarios, the user is dependent on service availability and the cost of its use. What if we had things differently, where wireless broadband was as free as the air that surrounds us? Think of the possibilities.

I heard this very interesting concept in a discussion over lots of beer with an old friend who currently works for a US wireless carrier. This revolutionary concept is called the open spectrum or ULTRAWIDEBAND, which treats the airwaves as common and shared by all. Unlike the current outmoded idea of ownership of spectrums, which governments auction off and deep-pocketed companies own like a piece of land, develop and control. The open spectrum works on the current ultrawideband that is invisible to licensed users in the same band. Advances in today’s digital technologies allow this co-existence of multiple users in the same frequency without interferences. Part of the concept now is to have all smart devices whether phones, PDAs or laptops cooperating with one another effectively.

In this new open spectrum world, the wireless transmitters will be everywhere as you have today with microprocessors imbedded in every television, radio, PC, car, microwave oven and handheld device. Once turned on, these devices automatically tune to this free spectrum and network with one another. Phone calls may bypass central networks and be handed off and relayed across devices for free till they reach their recipients. Anyone now could be a radio broadcaster and reach an audience of millions too. Media distribution will be fluid, as TV networks would lose their lord over media’s circulation. The greatest opportunity in developing killer-apps will be made available, as entrepreneurs can now freely develop the wildest undreamed of applications on this open platform. Sounds great, huh?

Just recently after much opposition, the FCC granted limited approval of ultrawideband. I would not exactly know for sure how this would work out for the end-user in terms of a scheduled commercial launch. One thing I’m certain of though, I see huge hurdles standing in the way of the open spectrum as government agencies, incumbent license holders and big business would be intensely lobbying against it. Oh well, it was a good discussion with an old friend while it lasted. Shows you also what a cold six-pack of light beer can brew up.

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Patrick R. Garcia is managing director of Bidshot Wireless Services. For comments or suggestions, text your message to 233011 (Globe) or 243011 (Smart) or e-mail [email protected].