As the Federal Communications Commission prepares to deliver the vote on the controversial issue of allowing the unused portion of spectrum known as White Space to be used without a license for delivering wireless broadband services, the debate is turning into a tug-of-war, with each side gaining more and more adamant supporters who each have their piece to say on the issue.

One side, represented by organizations like the free press and technology companies such as Microsoft, Google and Amazon (strangely united on this point considering their usual differences), sees the opportunities afforded by white space use. They argue that the radio spectrum, being much more powerful than the weak Wi-Fi signal, can cover greater distances and pass through walls, and could therefore make broadband internet service much more accessible than before.

The opposing side ranks some pretty heavy names, among them 11 lawmakers, the National Association of Broadcasters, the four major TV networks, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, various users of wireless microphones including churches and Broadway theaters, and even the New York City Council. Oh, and Dolly Parton. These fellows all believe that using white space for internet traffic would cause interference with television stations which use adjacent spectrum, as well as interfere with such devices as wireless microphones. Opponents are calling for a delay on the FCC vote, pending a 60-day comment period in which the public can review the results of the FCC’s tests.

There have been extensive tests done by the FCC’s Office for Engineering and Technology. They show that if technological safeguards such as geolocation and sensing technology are employed, there will be no interference with TV stations’ functionality. The only piece of technology that seemed affected is wireless microphones, which operate in white spaces without a license and are therefore illegal.

Supporters of the project are saying that the call for a comment period is simply a stall tactic, and that opponents have had ample time to review the test results. "No one has any basis for claiming that they don't know what was tested or how it was tested," said Craig Mundie, Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer in a press conference on Monday.

The FCC’s Chairman Kevin J. Martin seems to agree, as he is the one who called for the November 4 date of the vote.

An FCC inside source told press that one of the FCC Commissioners, Jonathan Adelstein said that he was “pleased that we’re moving forward” but that he wished he’d have had more time to review the office for engineering and technology’s latest report. It does not mean however, according to the source, that there’s any reason to delay the vote which is by all intents and purposes going ahead as planned.