A broad group of 29 executives at high-tech companies and public interest groups sent all members of Congress a letter asking for their support in opening broadcast "white spaces" for use in offering wireless broadband. Signers included companies like Dell, Hewlett-Packard and Intel, and public interest groups from the New America Foundation to the Consumer Federation of America. Supporters said they wanted to make clear to Congress before their upcoming recess the extent of support for opening white spaces.

"A number of people outside the white spaces coalition are supportive of this issue and wanted to assist in helping to raise awareness and keep the process moving forward," one official said: "Since congress will be going on recess for the July 4th holiday in a week, we wanted to get this out." A 2nd source said that with the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology testing devices designed to operate in the band, supporters want to keep pressure on the FCC to act as soon as OET's work is complete.

"Properly regulated unlicensed use will cause no harmful interference to incumbent licensed services," the letter said. "Your support will promote greater broadband connectivity and foster the development of innovative new wireless devices and technologies for all Americans." The letter argues that across the U.S. there is substantial broadcast spectrum that is going unused...

For the complete article, please visit the Communications Daily website.