The white spaces media blitz continues.

Every other e-mail I've received this morning is from an interest group or Internet company that either wants the FCC to take quick action on its white spaces rule--or put it on hold pending a public comment period.

What are white spaces? When TV stations switch from analog to digital signals in February 2009, unused spectrum--or white spaces--will emerge, and companies like Microsoft and Google want to use it for mobile broadband. Broadcasters, led by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), argue that such activity could disrupt TV signals.

The FCC must not "unduly jeopardize television viewing," chief executives from ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX wrote FCC Chairman Kevin Martin on Thursday.

Broadcasters are pushing the FCC to reschedule its Nov. 4 vote on the issue until after a comment period that would likely last about two months. White spaces advocates like Google and Microsoft, however, claim that enough time has passed and action is required now in order to move forward on mobile broadband technologies.

The FCC last week released a report that gave conditional support to white spaces devices, and said it would vote on a final rule on Election Day.

NAB wants that vote delayed, and a press release war was born. More banter after the jump.

"[T]he FCC has to get this matter right the first time," according to the networks. "If millions of unlicensed devices flood the market in the next few years, and it turns out that sensing still does not work, or that 40 milliwatts is far too high... how will that damage be undone?"

The FCC report said it would support devices with sensing and geo-location capabilities at certain power levels. Devices that rely on sensing alone, however, must be re-submitted to the FCC for additional testing.

NAB supports devices with geo-location, according to documents on its Web site and filings with the FCC, but has seized upon the potential problems with devices that rely on sensing alone.

According to the networks, the FCC report does not include "the kind of solid scientific foundation the commission normally requires before proceeding to adopt a rule allowing a new service."

A sampling of other comments that have trickled in all morning:

Jake Ward, spokesman, Wireless Innovation Alliance

"Desperate times call for distorted realities. It is distressing to think that [broadcasters] are not only wasting millions of dollars and thousands of hours lobbying Congress to stop technology and innovation from moving forward, but they are using baseless and troubling fear tactics with which to do it."

Richard Whitt, Washington telecom and media counsel, Google

"Just as Wi-Fi sparked a revolution in the way we connect to the web, freeing the "white space" airwaves could help unleash a new wave of technological innovation, create jobs, and boost our economy. But it can happen only if the FCC moves forward with rules that make the best possible use of this spectrum."

"While the science should speak for itself, that won't stop the broadcasting lobby from trying to use stalling tactics to derail the technology before the rules of the road are even written. These are the same folks who over the years have sought to block one innovative technology after another, from cable TV to VCRs to satellite TV and radio to low power FM to TiVos."

Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA)

WISPA proposes a "licensed-lite" approach for fixed services in certain portions of the TV white spaces band, which includes nationwide, non-exclusive licensing, registration of base-station locations, and a geo-location database, among other requests. Read more on the NAB Web site.

Steve B. Sharkey, senior director of regulatory and spectrum policy at Motorola

"After more than four years of debate the commission has considered all aspects of the technology necessary to allow use of the TV White Space while fully protecting incumbents. Based on this careful deliberation, including extensive testing of devices, the chairman has put forward a plan that allows the TV White Space effort to move forward responsibly. The time is right to provide a clear path for fixed and mobile broadband deployment using geo-location enabled technology."

Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press

"As longtime supporters of quality local television, we are shocked and dismayed by the NAB's inflammatory accusations. This strategy of misdirection and hysteria is intended to distract attention from sound policy making at the FCC. Just because broadcasters aren't happy with the results of the FCC's exhaustive engineering report is no excuse for these unfounded claims."

"The FCC report is clear: White spaces technology won't interfere with television signals. Having lost on the facts, the NAB has resorted to angry ranting. This crucial decision should be based on science, not who can shout the loudest. We urge the FCC to ignore the noise and open the airwaves to benefit everyone."

Joint FCC filing from the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV), NAB, as well as ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX

"The end-game for [white spaces advocates] is, over the next few years, to increase the power of personal, portable devices to dangerously high levels, with complete disregard for the effects on the public's television broadcasting service (as well as on licensed wireless microphone operations and cable)."