Broadcasters Sue FCC Over Perceived 'White Spaces' Threat

The National Association of Broadcasters and the Association for Maximum Service Television are suing the FCC over its decision to allow “white spaces” or unlicensed spectrum found between TV channels for delivering broadband services, according to Ars Technica. Google (NSDQ: GOOG), Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) and other companies played a role in the push to open up the spectrum, but the fear is that when people use this spectrum, it will interfere with services, such as TV or even wireless microphones used at concerts.

The suit was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Feb. 27. The petition charges that the FCC’s decision “will have a direct adverse impact on MSTV’s and NAB’s members because it will allow harmful interference with reception of their broadcast signals.” It also says the FCC’s decision on to open up the white spaces was “arbitrary, capricious, and otherwise not in accordance with law.” Ars Technica got a response from proponents of the white spaces. Jake Ward, spokesperson for the Wireless Innovation Alliance called the suit: “disappointing, but certainly not surprising.”

Comments have been disabled for this post