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Oct. 31, 2008

Amid increased protest and a heated exchange of words, FCC member Robert McDowell reportedly told Reuters that he’s reasonably optimistic his commission's officials will approve the Google/Microsoft-backed plan to open the soon-to-be vacant TV airwaves, known as White Space Spectrum.

The FCC has scheduled a Nov. 4 vote on the proposal.

That date has been criticized by many since it falls on Election Day, and some are questioning the FCC as to why it didn't choose another date that would be more suitable.

Rumors are even flying that the date was selected to intentionally blurr the FCC voting itself. Others disagree.

The white spaces will become available after U.S. broadcasters move to digital television in February 2009.

The issue puts traditional TV broadcasters at odds with high-tech companies such as Google and Microsoft, which desperately need the airwaves for new wireless devices.

Some TV broadcasters say the technology could cause interference. Many experts disagree.

McDowell added that there is great potential for a new wave of innovative and faster wireless devices to be developed by the private sector with the new soon-to-be allocated spectrum.

An FCC report released Oct. 9 analyzed two specific rounds of testing on prototype wireless devices and subsequently cleared the technology to move forward.

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Source: Reuters.