According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Google is looking to back the development of wireless networks in emerging markets. The company is reportedly in the middle of a multifaceted effort to bring wireless service to locations such as sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, which would provide wireless access to the population that resides outside of major urban areas, and increase the speeds of existing networks.
According to the report, Google will be working with local telecommunication firms to develop the networks and will help to create the proper business models to support them. Google is planning on using parts of the spectrum reserved for television broadcasts, which typically operate at lower frequencies than cell networks. The lower frequencies will allow wireless signals to travel easier across large distances, and penetrate through obstacles.
Another technology Google may use is currently being tested in Cape Town, South Africa. The technology involves a wireless base station which transmits a signal to wireless access points that then transmit the signal on a smaller scale. The use of micro-cells could be utilized as well, which would utilize television airwaves to broadcast a signal equivalent to that of 3G and 4G networks.
How Google deploys its wireless networks will depend largely on already established laws and deals with television providers, meaning that Google will have to tailor a solution to each individual location.
How and when Google rolls out its wireless networks in emerging markets remains to be seen, we will surely be seeing more news of Google’s development plans soon.
[Via: Wall Street Journal]