Last week Microsoft Corporation and Philips Electronics have submitted their tests to the Federal Communications Commission under which they have to pave a way for a generation of new devices, which can be access the Internet using unlicensed spectrum.
Other companies along with several other electronics firms are foraying the FCC to authorize the use of spectrum, known as ‘white spaces’ to support mobile devices used to access the Internet through a wireless broadband connection. 
At the time of tests, FCC engineers were partially failure as the unit submitted by Microsoft. Microsoft stated that the device was itself faulty rather than anything being inherently wrong with the concept of using the white spaces spectrum. While at that time, Philips prototype was successful in avoiding televisions signals.
A majority of FCC commissioners have publicly supported the use of white spaces spectrum as long as it is proved to be safe. It is expected that the commission has to decide on whether it would allow the development of a wireless broadband market by the end of October.
While in this regard, television broadcasters are opposing to the commercial deployment of the devices and arguing that the risk of the interference with their signals is too great. Those who are favoring the use of white spaces spectrum argue that this is the only way to extend wireless broadband service to rural parts of the US, where it is not economic for existing wireless companies to offer service.
Image: Narte
