White spaces anyone? Google opens its spectrum database to developers

All of those unused frequencies that linger between TV channels, called white spaces, are ripe for the taking, and now network builders and device makers can start using them, with a little help from Google.

Google was one of a handful of companies approved by the Federal Communications Commission to run a white spaces database, and Google is opening up that database to all comers. That will allow would-be networkers and device makers to identify unused TV spectrum in their area and stake a claim on the airwaves.