The Federal Communications Commission is expected to reach a conclusion tomorrow on the highly debated use of white spaces. These spaces represent the unused portion of the public airwaves which will not be allocated to TV broadcasters once television will go digital in February.

There are two opinions on the matter. High-tech companies like Google and many local Internet providers such as Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) believe that the best way to use the remaining spectrum is to allow them to launch new wireless Internet networks that would inspire a whole new generation of wireless gadgets. Wally Bowen, executive director of MAIN, explained that if the FCC’s decision will be positive, it will create a technical revolution and also provide a huge boost to the economy.

At the same time, the broadcasters are against the unlicensed use because they claim it will surely interfere with the television transmission. Their first action was to file an emergency request, demanding the FCC to postpone the decision for a few months. The reason  why the board did not consider the delay useful is because its various rounds of tests concluded that “spectrum sensing in combination with geo-location and database access techniques can be used” to prevent interference.

"We are trying to make sure we're using this spectrum in the most efficient way possible," explained FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. He compared the white spaces to WiFi, saying that if the use will be allowed, "It will be like the Wi-Fi you get at Starbucks, only a lot better." The FCC stated this on numerous occasions, as its goal is to serve the constantly expanding broadband needs of U.S. consumers.