Dingell to FCC: Consider Licensing White Spaces

House Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-MI) asked the Federal Communications Commission to consider licensing the so-called white spaces between digital-TV channels. While the FCC has been considering allowing unlicensed mobile devices to use the spectrum for wireless broadband, among other things, Chairman Dingell suggested that a licensing proposal, at least for some of the spectrum, could help to mitigate the concerns of broadcasters and wireless microphone users about interference. It could also raise some money for the treasury. He noted the FCC's testing of the unlicensed devices. The FCC said Friday that it picked the Majestic Theater in New York for testing those devices' use of the white spaces between TV channels and wireless microphones. Chairman Dingell said, "As the Commission proceeds, it is my hope that it gives all due consideration to all proposals concerning the best use of the white spaces, including those proposals to license some or all of the spectrum available," in a letter to FCC Chairman Kevin Martin.