SCI FI PI

Big news for internet users - possibly less so for Australian internet users.

In the US, the FCC earlier this week approved the use of the so-called "white spaces" between television channels for wireless Internet access, thereby setting in motion the creation of a nationwide broadband service that will eventually be available to users without charge any place where television signals can be received.

The system is expected to be slower than cable or DSL but comparable to the speed of mobile phone systems. Receivers are expected to be built into laptop computers and other mobile devices by next year.

Broadcasters, however, have warned that the broadband service could cause interference with their signals (didn't mention their revenue!) and accused the FCC of threatening television transmission to satisfy the demands of Google and Microsoft, the principal backers of the wireless technology.

Dennis Wharton, executive vice president of the National Association of Broadcasters said, "Every American who values interference-free TV should be concerned by today's commission vote. But on his blog, Google co-founder Larry Page praised the FCC action, saying, "For years the broadcasting lobby and others have tried to spread fear and confusion about this technology, rather than allow the FCC's engineers to simply do their work."

So get ready for GoogleTV and MicrosoftTV - the time is at hand when you can watch YouTube directly on your TV. When Australia gets access to this is another question entirely. We're predicting no later than 2012, tops.