FCC's 'white space' decision

The Federal Communications Commission is slated to vote next week on a proposal to allow regulated but free public use of airwaves reserved for television broadcasters but not used by them. A number of tech companies and public interest groups want to populate these so-called white spaces with Internet and mobile data services, all coexisting peacefully with digital TV signals. But the proposal has been resisted by broadcasters, among others, who want more time to comment on the commission's latest round of tests. Some opponents also have called for the airwaves to be auctioned off, which would effectively close the door to free uses of the spectrum.

November 1, 2008