FCC OKs White Space Spectrum usage and Sprint-Clearwire merger

The FCC sure has been busy recently. Not only did the FCC beat their own deadline to deliver a decision Verizon’s bid to buy-out Alltel, the FCC has also been considering their position on the use of White Space Spectrum for mobile broadband as well as the Sprint-Clearwire merger.

The former, which would allow the use of the soon-to-be-vacated radio spectrum currently used for analog TV broadcasts for mobile broadband services, was passed almost unanimously by the FCC. Once the US moves to all-digital TV broadcasts, the “white space” spectrum will be an unlicensed haven for mobile broadband providers. The National Association of Broadcasters has fighting the use of the “white space” spectrum for some time now, and the FCC’s approval of the spectrum for mobile broadband deals them a serious blow. White space spectrum usage was approved despite dismal early device tests that looked into radio interference from devices using the white space spectrum.

Of course, white space advocates like Dell, Google (NSDQ: GOOG), and Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) are celebrating the prospect of a future filled with cheap and free mobile broadband connectivity using the unlicensed white space spectrum.

The latter decision allow Sprint (NYSE: S) to finally proceed in their merger deal with Clearwire. With the FCC’s blessing on the matter, Sprint will be allowed to team up with Clearwire, allowing the Sprint to go for broke with their WiMAX-based XOHM network. Sprint will likely be ramping up its XOHM network launch across the country in short order.

It remains to be seen how Sprint’s WiMAX broadband offering will fare in the face of free-to-cheap wireless broadband access across the nation.

[Via: MarketWatch]