The FCC has been looking into allowing mobile devices to use the old TV white spaces. Does that sound like Greek to you? Well, I just ran across a great article in c|net (White space tests get mixed results) that gives a great run down on what that means and how the decision making is going.

Here’s a quick clip from the article:

The FCC has been conducting these real world tests of different prototype devices to see if companies can develop products that use buffer spectrum between licensed broadcast channels. This spectrum known has “white space” sits between broadcast TV channels in the 150 MHz to 700 MHs spectrum bands.

Several technology companies, including Motorola, Microsoft, and Google have been lobbying the FCC for more than a year to open up these channels, which would provide between 300 MHz to 400 MHz of unlicensed spectral capacity throughout the country that could be used by anyone. These tech companies believe this spectrum, which is ideal for sending data wirelessly over long distances and penetrating through walls, can be used to enhance or create new wireless broadband services.

The idea was tested last weekend before an NFL game. The results were not great. Apparently the devices interfered with broadcast equipment. Here’s another quick clip from the c|net article:

“Simply stated, the prototype devices were unable to consistently identify operating wireless microphones or distinguish occupied from unoccupied TV channels,” said Mark Brunner, Shure’s senior director of public and industry relations. “More troubling, the devices failed to detect the presence of wireless microphones when switched on–an occurrence that takes place multiple times during any NFL game.”

On the other hand, Motorola says their tests have gone well – because they use a geolocation approach, which includes combination of location technology (such as GPS) and a database that advises the device on what channel to use and whether or not there is compatibility with other white space devices.

The FCC Chairman said last week that the testing may not be done before the end of the summer, which is sadly approaching quickly.