Microsoft to dispute FCC on vacant TV airwaves

Microsoft Corp on Monday will try to convince US regulators that vacant television airwaves can be used for wireless services without interfering with broadcast signals, The Washington Post reported. The unused TV airwaves would be available for other services by early 2009, when broadcasters are due to switch from analog to digital signals.
In a document it plans to file with the US Federal Communications Commission, Microsoft disputes the agency's recent finding that prototype Internet devices caused static on existing broadcasts, the Post said. The company said its first prototype was defective but that a new model worked successfully in a demonstration for the FCC last week, the Post said.