FCC Chairman Kevin Martin threw his support behind using parts of the empty TV spectrum -- known as white spaces -- for unlicensed wireless use.

At a press conference Wednesday, Martin said, "The white spaces can be used as long as it does not interfere with broadcasters." He also said he hopes to have the full commission vote on rules to govern these airwaves at the next public meeting, scheduled for Nov. 4.

Companies like Dell (Dell), Google, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Motorola have been lobbying the FCC for years to authorize use of this spectrum. They say it could be used to cheaply connect underserved communities to the Internet, as well as open the door for innovative new services. Google said more than 18,000 have signed its online petition to free up the white spaces.

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— Marin Perez, Information Week