Microsoft Corp is trying to convince U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow vacant television airwaves to be used for wireless services without interfering with broadcast signals.

This signal will be available in 2009 when broadcasters switch from analog to digital signals. Besides Microsoft, other companies like Intel are actively pressing FCC to make the vacant airwave available for use without license. Broadcasters do not want to have any interference to their service and have expressed their concern about potential interference with their signal.

Once the vacant airwave is opened for use without license, a variety of wireless services can be offered. Penetration of internet services, like high-speed internet access, to rural areas will improve overnight.

In 2004, FCC has proposed two categories of users for the airwaves. One for the low-power portable devices like Wi-Fi and a second group for fixed commercial operations like cable television network.