Google Blitzes Capitol Hill

It must be Google week in Washington because representatives from the company were involved in at least three separate policy discussions. Fortunately, for the most part, the search company's lobbying efforts didn't seem entirely self-serving, unlike some other major corporations and their help-us-make-more-money demands.

Co-founder Larry Page did most of the talking, presumably taking on that grownup role CEO Eric Schmidt recently talked about. The last time a co-founder popped into Washington, Sergey Brin found out he should probably 24 privacy questions, Page spoke to other key lawmakers like House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) about opening up the white spaces serving as buffers between the soon to be turned over spectrum.

Saying the white spaces could be used to provide "Wifi on steroids," Page argued that opening up unused spectrum to unlicensed devices could help expand broadband access. He also reassured lawmakers it could be done without interfering with wireless microphones or TV signals, a sore spot among both microphone manufacturers and the National Association of Broadcasters.

"Part of why I'm here is I don't want people to be misled by people who have interests. I'm really bothered by that,"
Well, at least he's honest and more competition in the wireless space can be a positive side effect for the public. Video of Page's thoughts on white space usage can be seen at the