US wireless internet to get faster, cheaper

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Accessing the internet using a wireless device in the US could soon been quicker and cheaper according to the US Federal Communications Commission chairman and Google Founder Larry Page.

The FCC chairman Kevin Martin and Larry Page, president of products for Google said a decision on Tuesday by the US agency to open television spectrum freed up by the move from analogue to digital, known as "white space", along with better wireless radios, can help improve internet access in urban and rural areas.

Radio is at the heart of Wi-Fi and wireless mobile phones such as Blackberry's and the iPhone.

They said the first developments will show up in less than two years, and reach the public later.

"I think the thing that people don't realise is that radios are on a similar trajectory to computers", undergoing tremendous technological development, Page told the Wireless Communications Association.

He said new radio technology will have more reach than current Wi-Fi, which cannot go through more than two walls.

"Making access cheaper and more available in more places is probably the most important thing we can do," Page said.

The FCC's Martin said the US, which has fallen behind others in internet access, can lead the way again by developing the new forms of wireless access.

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