The white spaces debate took a step forward Wednesday when the Federal Communications Commission released a report that gives conditional support to devices that can access unregulated spectrum between digital channels, or white spaces.

This unregulated spectrum will become available when broadcast stations switch from analog to digital TV signals in February 2009. Companies like Google and Microsoft want to use these white spaces for wireless broadband service, but broadcasters insist that this will result in reduced-quality digital TV viewing.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said in a Wednesday conference call with reporters that he would support a plan to allow white spaces devices that support sensing - or the scanning of available channels to find empty ones for white spaces use - and geo-location, which can protect TV channels. Devices that use sensing alone must be re-submitted to the FCC for additional testing, he said.

Earlier this year, the FCC started lab and field tests of white spaces devices (WSDs) submitted by Adaptrum, the Institute for Infocomm Research, Microsoft, Motorola, and Philips Electronics North America.

Motorola submitted a device that supports sensing and geo-location while the Philips device is sensing only. The Microsoft devices malfunctioned during lab tests.

The National Association of Broadcasters on Thursday accused the FCC of misinterpreting the data its engineers collected by releasing an "upbeat" executive summary that NAB said was not in line with the rest of the report.

"Any reasonable analysis of the OET report would conclude that unlicensed devices that rely solely on spectrum sensing threaten the viability of clear television reception," NAB executive vice president Dennis Wharton said in a statement. "Basing public policy on an imprecise Cliffs Notes version of a 149-page report raises troubling questions."

The OET report's executive summary does note that there were issues with devices that rely on sensing alone, but engineers were "satisfied that spectrum sensing in combination with geo-location and database access techniques can be used to authorize equipment today."

What do other stakeholders have to say?

Jake Ward, a spokesman for the Wireless Innovation Alliance (WIA):

"Four years of study, 18 months of exhaustive data collection by the OET in both the lab and in the field - more testing than any other technology to date - has confirmed that white space technology is feasible and safe. [The report] has paved the way for the next generation of wireless technologies, broadband deployment, and information sharing that will benefit every American in the coming years."

Steve Sharkey, Motorola's senior director of regulatory and spectrum policy:

"We look forward to the FCC adopting final rules allowing use of the TV white space, which will ... provide enormous benefits to the public using this currently fallow spectrum."

Richard Whitt, Google's Washington telecom and media counsel:

"The FCC now has more than enough information to develop appropriate rules that protect TV stations and wireless microphone users from harmful interference, while at the same time allowing innovators and entrepreneurs to develop technology that productively uses these airwaves."

Ed Black, president and CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association:

"We are optimistic the voice of reason will now rise above the static in Washington to harvest the static between the broadcast stations. White spaces are likely the last best chance to make wireless spectrum available broadly that promotes universal access and robust competition."

Ben Scott, policy director for Washington-based interest group Free Press:

"With this endorsement from the technical experts, it's time to shed the outdated standards that have placed the public airwaves under lock and key."