Intel wants broadcasters to share the airwaves

Intel is lobbying regulators worldwide to force TV and radio broadcasters to share their radio spectrum.

The company considers the 700MHz band used by these media operations to be "prime real estate", said Sean Maloney, general manager of Intel's communications group.

Current wireless data technologies use radio bands up to 5GHz.

Lower radio frequencies carry a signal over a longer distance than their higher counterparts. And with the emergence of cable and satellite, large portions of the spectrum that have traditionally been reserved for broadcast media are now sitting idle.

Being able to use the lower frequency is important for the upcoming WiMax wireless data technology. The standard is commonly referred to as wireless DSL, for its potential to be used to deliver broadband internet access to the consumer.

If WiMax is denied access to the lower frequencies, prices will be "10 times more expensive", warned Maloney.

"Explaining spectrum politics is going to be very important in the coming five years. There are trillions of dollars sitting on this thing," he said.

Intel is currently in talks with regulators in Brussels, the US and Beijing, hoping to share some of the lower spectrum.

To meet concerns by radio and TV broadcasters over signal interference, Intel is developing 'smart radios,' which can sense if a frequency is being used and switch to a different channel if necessary.