October 28th, 2008: White spaces get white hot as big vote nears

It's just six more days until the big vote on November 4th when the fates of many in this country will be determined: That's right: Will Alltel subscribers become Verizon Wireless subscribers? Will Clearwire and Sprint's XOHM assets merge? These questions and more should be answered by the FCC's vote tallies during the November 4th meeting. Also on the agenda is the hot button "white spaces" decision, which could determine to allow devices to operate on the spectrum between digital TV channels. With just days to go, everyone--everyone--is weighing in...

Singer Dolly Parton has stepped up and filed her own letter to the FCC on behalf of performers who use wireless microphones, which already make use of the white space spectrum: "As someone who uses the white spaces and knows the value of them for the work that I and many of my friends do around the country, I ask the FCC to recognize the entertainment industry's valuable contribution to the cultural life. I can unequivocally confirm that the importance of clear, consistent wireless microphone broadcasts simply cannot be overstated." Parton's letter came right on the heels of a finding by the FCC's office of engineering that determined the issue as to whether white space devices interfere with nearby spectrum bands had been resolved.

Given recent moves within the FCC and despite outcry from most entertainment groups and lone country singers, the white spaces issue is poised to pass at next week's FCC meeting. While Motorola, Microsoft, Google and others should not count their chickens before they have hatched, it's time to begin discussing what will happen should the FCC switch on the greenlight as expected.

Google has the power and money to develop a technology that would run on the white spaces like a "WiFi on Steroids" as many have called the hypothetical access technology, but given the company's recent maneuvers in the 700 MHz auction--it seems unlikely. There's also a question as to where FCC Chairman Kevin Martin will end up next year once a new president is elected and Martin's term expires. Some wonder whether white spaces is an eleventh hour move by Martin to set himself or the industry up for future opportunities in the wireless space.

How do you think the white spaces debate will play out? Will it pass the FCC's vote--and if so, then what next? We'd like to hear your take.