The Federal Communications Commission reached the unanimous decision that the air waves must be freed in order to allow a much better wireless Internet access. The matter had been intensely debated for quite some time and this conclusion was expected by many. The white spaces, as the new airwaves are called, could be used for some new wireless hot spots, allowing fast downloads for large data files at a very low price.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin and the other commissioners unanimously sided with tech giants Google, Microsoft, Dell, and Philips Electronics North America, concluding that it is in the country’s best interest to open the spectrum and make it available for free public use. "The FCC has taken a significant step to usher in a new era of technology, allowing for major investments in innovative wireless broadband, education, and government/enterprise applications to spur economic development," Motorola co-CEO Greg Brown explained in a statement.

The decision was received with great enthusiasm by Google and its co-founder Larry Page described the technology as Wi-Fi on steroids and also added that "I've always thought that there are a lot of really incredible things that engineers and entrepreneurs can do with this spectrum." FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein responded with another joke, saying that he hopes it won’t just be Wi-Fi on steroids but actually Wi-Fi on amphetamines.

There have been several negative responses to the decision and many objections brought by television broadcasters, wireless microphone makers, several sports leagues, and dozens of performing artists and U.S. lawmakers, with groups such as Walt Disney Inc’s ABC, General Electric’s NBC and CBS Corp teaming up and stating that the signals sent over the spectrum will cause interferences for many broadcasts and wireless microphones used on live productions. Maximum Service Television, a broadcasters’ group extremely unhappy with the ruling, actually pointed fingers saying that the decision "imperils American's television reception in order to satisfy the "free" spectrum demands of Google and Microsoft."

Still, the general belief is that the project will turn out to be a real win-win service. Commissioner Michael Copps explained that it will be a huge benefit when it comes to solving the broadband deficit in many rural areas of the country and it will also present a great impact on many other aspects concerning the American people.

"The FCC has taken a significant step to usher in a new era of technology allowing for major investments in innovative wireless broadband, education, and government/enterprise applications to spur economic development," said Greg Brown, president and co-chief executive officer of Motorola, in a statement.

The issue has been examined for the past six years, with several tests completed to ensure that the fears about the interferences are not accurate. The plan regards the improvement of the country’s economy and also quality of life by bringing the wireless broadband to the remotest areas. Aside from these benefits it will stimulate competition and maximize the potential of spectrum-based services. The white spaces represent empty channels on the spectrum designated for use by television stations which will no longer be needed stating with next year’s changes.