Washington, DC - Oct 29, 2008 - For the past few months Radio magazine has been covering the development of the use of white spaces for unlicensed devices. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has scheduled a Commission vote on the issue for Nov. 4.

Martin supports allowing unlicensed white space devices that meet certain criteria into spectrum used for TV and wireless mics.

Opponents to this issue are growing in number. Recently, Rep. John Dingell, chairman of the House of Representatives House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent a list of questions to Martin, including whether an FCC engineering report was peer reviewed, and how the agency would deal with interference from broadcast signals if it occurs. Martin is to respond by Friday, Oct. 31.

The NAB, RTNDA, NCTA and Dolly Parton, along with broadcasters, cable providers, public policy and government watchdog groups also have letters in to the FCC, urging them to delay the vote. Other corporations in protest include executives from News Corp., Walt Disney's ABC, CBS, General Electric's NBC, Major League Baseball and NASCAR. These organizations cite the need for further testing as well as an evaluation of potential harm and interference in their request for the delay. More on the opposition here.

Companies in favor of the releasing the unused spectrum include Google, Motorola and Microsoft.