The FCC has announced (pdf) that the agency will be conducting another round of "White Space" broadband testing starting January 24. A six-partner coalition (including Microsoft, Google and Dell) named the Wireless Innovation Alliance wants to use the so-called "white space" spectrum -- partially freed by the migration to digital television -- to offer un-served consumers Internet access via the airwaves.

They submitted a device for testing to the FCC last year, but tests showed the device was unable to play nice (pdf) with nearby wireless signals.Shortly after the test, the coalition stated that their prototype malfunctioned, and that they do have a working model. Groups like the National Association of Broadcasters, likely feeling threatened by the new potential broadcast capabilities of the technology, have been very vocal opponents of the plan, insisting to anyone who'll listen that the devices will create wireless armageddon.

The Wireless Innovation Alliance last week fired back with a letter essentially urging the NAB to shut up and let the FCC do its job. A recent study (pdf) by the coalition argued that by 2009, every one of the nation's 210 TV markets will have 15 to 40 unassigned, vacant and unused channels. They insist such unused white space "could deliver Internet access to every American household for as little as $10 a month, by some estimates."

A more complete plan for the FCC's upcoming tests can be found here in pdf format.