Microsoft, along with other tech giants such as Intel and Mountain View-based search company Google, are one step closer to slicing up “white spaces” without any sort of licensing baggage. Kevin Martin, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, indicated support for an “unlicensed” marriage between white spaces spectrum and wireless devices. Martin argued that innovative emerging technologies are essentially paving the TV white spaces to be used for commercial purposes without any license. Microsoft was quick to declare itself satisfied with the FCC Chairman's initiative to slate a vote designed to essentially free up “white spaces”.

“Microsoft applauds the Federal Communications Commission for circulating a draft order among the Commissioners,” revealed Anoop Gupta, Corporate Vice President, Technology Policy and Strategy, Microsoft. “The FCC has now crossed an important milestone in the path to establishing final rules of the road for the use of the white spaces. Clearly the FCC’s internal work and its test process has provided enough information, guidance and technical input to move the process forward in allowing unlicensed use of the white spaces.”

The Chairman of the FCC underlined the need for the commission to tailor its vote in accordance to the most efficient usage model of the “white spaces” spectrum from the perspective of consumers. Opening up “white spaces” means that Microsoft, but also additional companies, will be able to leverage channels which are not connected with broadcasting television programming for low-power devices. In the end, the move is designed to permit Internet connections via “white spaces”, a scenario opposed by the National Association of Broadcasters, which raised interference issues.

“We are pleased that the FCC and Chairman Martin plan to soon vote on this important matter. We urge the Commissioners to come to a decision quickly and adopt rules that will allow all Americans to realize the full and enormous potential white spaces have to expand broadband access in underserved, urban, and rural areas and to enable a new wave of innovation and Internet services and products,” Gupta added.