A couple of weeks ago, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Kevin Martin introduced a plan to open up vacant TV airwaves for unlicensed use. Consequently, the FCC issued a report stating that no major interference issues with television sets and wireless microphones would arise from making the white spaces (unused TV airwaves) available for future gadgets.

At that time, the decision came into much criticism from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Association of Maximum Service Television and the ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox TV networks, which decided to take a stand concerning the report. As a result, they requested the FCC to postpone the voting on the matter, which had been scheduled for November 4, until the aforementioned opponents to opening up the airwaves gave a response to the document. They asked for a delay of 45 days during which time to deliver their response, followed by a period of another 25 days so that the Commission to reply to their comments.

If the FCC does not disregard the request and grants the postponement, officials are to cast their vote with regards to the matter under a different chairman, since Martin is due to step down from the position when the United States administration changes in November.

Recently, chairman of the House of Representatives House Energy and Commerce Committee John Dingell has joined the opponents to the white spaces report, by sending Kevin Martin a list of questions concerning opening up the airwaves, which the head of FCC is to answer until next Friday.

Among other things, Dingell inquired whether the report had been peer reviewed.

The decision to make white spaces available is supported by major companies such as Google, Motorola Incorporated and Microsoft Corporation.