The FCC voted today on rules that will enable the use of TV white spaces to provide wireless broadband connectivity. Google and Microsoft both issued updates applauding the ruling. 

Google has teamed up with Spectrum Bridge and the Hocking Valley Community Hospital in Logan, Ohio on the deployment of the first TV White Spaces broadband trial network for healthcare providers. The solution enables healthcare providers to utilize affordable broadband while providing data transmission for telemedicine applications.

Google has a post on its Public Policy blog talking about moving forward on white spaces. As the company notes, the five current FCC Commissioners will soon meet to set final technical rules for white spaces. 

Last night, Google announced that it filed a submission to the FCC, asking it to designate Google as one of potentially several administrators of a "white spaces" geolocation database. Back in November of 2008, the FCC approved the use of these White Spaces, or unused airwaves between broadcast TV channels, for public wireless broadband service.

On Google’s Public Policy Blog, Richard Whitt, Washington Telecom and Media Counsel, writes:

A big story flew somewhat under the radar yesterday as the Election was at the forefront of minds not only all across the America, but around the world. The FCC has approved the use of the unused airwaves between broadcast TV channels, otherwise known as "white spaces" for public wireless broadband service.

Testing at the Federal Communication Commission will determine whether or not Google and its fellow backers of wireless broadband within unused spectrum reaches the marketplace.

The on-going corporate wrangling between Google and Verizon is heating up again as the Federal Communications Commission prepares to test technology that would make it possible to offer WiFi broadband Internet over unused TV channels known as white spaces.

Verizon’s win in the FCC auction for the C block of 700MHz spectrum should be stopped unless the company agrees to give existing customers open access privileges, according to Google.

With Google’s purchase of GrandCentral Communications in July 2007, the company set up a way to pull people away from their relationships with wireless phone carriers.

T-Mobile and Sprint don’t want companies like Google, Microsoft, and other using the “white spaces” of unused spectrum for wireless service.

Google and Microsoft aren’t always rivals. Quite often in government matters they’re pals – Network Neutrality is a good example. Most recently the two tech behemoths have squared off against the Association for Maximum Service Television (MSTV) over unused broadcast spectrum.