A six-partner coalition (including Microsoft, Google and Dell) wants to use the so-called "white space" spectrum -- partially freed by the migration to digital television -- to offer consumers cheap broadband via the airwaves. The problem is there's an immense potential for interference with existing systems, and available spectrum could be too limited (particularly in urban markets) to really compete with incumbent offerings.

The National Association of Broadcasters, concerned about such interference, has launched a new ad campaign attacking the idea (pdf). The Association also issued a somewhat snarky statement on their opposition: The White Space Coalition recently delivered prototypes to the FCC which the commission deemed unfriendly to nearby transmissions. Microsoft disputed the agency's findings, arguing one of the prototypes was broken -- and that they have a prototype that will detect and avoid nearby wireless signals.

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."

Update: White Space Coalition member Free Press offers a retort to the broadcast industry.