Google Submits 'Foolproof' Wireless Broadband Plan

Google submitted a white spaces proposal to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it believes provides a "foolproof" way to access unused spectrum for wireless broadband, but denied that the plan means Google will soon become a wireless carrier.
"We do not intend to support opening up the white spaces just so Google can become a wireless carrier or build a wireless network," Rick Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel, said during a conference call with reporters.
Google's only interest in white spaces is that they could provide Americans with "more opportunities to access the 'Net," he said.
When broadcasters shift from analog to digital signals in February 2009, there will be open, unregulated spectrum between the digital channels, or white spaces, that companies like Google and Microsoft want to use for wireless broadband service. Broadcasters, led by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), however, believe that allowing access to this spectrum could disrupt TV signals.
Google already submitted a white spaces plan to the FCC in December 2007 that endorsed a technology known as spectrum sensing, which scans spectrum to detect unused frequencies. Monday's plan goes beyond that to request additional safeguards, but Whitt stressed that Google still believes that spectrum sensing alone would do the trick.
"Spectrum sensing capabilities should be more than adequate," he said. "However, we just decided, in talking amongst ourselves, that we want to move the ball forward. We want everybody satisfied with this process."

Intel Announces New "Sextium" Processor

Processor giant Intel has startled the information technology industry by taking the wraps off the next generation of x86-compatible PC Central Processing Units (CPUs) unexpectedly early. The new processors will be dubbed the Sextium series.
The new Sextium, according to Intel, "won't just change the way you think about computers - it'll change your whole life."
The new Sextium part is scheduled to debut in Q2 of 2000, with distribution anticipated to commence exactly one year from the April 1st product announcement. The initial clock speed will be only 666MHz (Front Side Bus 133MHz, 5X multiplier), as Intel has reported mysterious problems achieving higher speeds with the new component. Craig Johnson, strategic planner for Intel's 32-bit product, commented on these difficulties as follows: "It's really not a problem. 666 megahertz is a very good speed. Very good indeed. Yes. Good." His eyes then glazed over and he walked slowly away, apparently oblivious to our further questions.