In its most controversial measure of the day, the FCC has approved a plan to make unused portions of TV airwaves available to deliver wireless broadband service. Despite earlier hints that the two democrats on the panel might reject the measure, the FCC voted unanimously in favor of the deal. Leading up to today’s vote, TV broadcasters, T-Mobile, wireless microphone manufacturers and countless musicians and performers lobbied aggressively against the plan. In the end, the plan, which had the backing of Google (NSDQ: GOOG), Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), Motorola (NYSE: MOT), passed without any major opposition from the regulatory body. Release (PDF).

We can almost guarantee that lawsuits will begin flooding in immediately. Numerous groups and companies argue that opening up the spectrum will cause interference with existing services. And yet, the opening up of the airwaves will quickly make broadband services available in rural areas that are still largely unconnected in that regard. Motorola is also ecstatic about the outcome, considering the FCC’s requirement that the initial group of approved devices include geo-location technology to best determine available channels and avoid interference. The company develops such technology and it was tested on a Motorola device that was used in FCC tests earlier this year. “The FCC has taken a significant step to usher in a new era of technology allowing for major investments in innovative wireless broadband, education, and government/enterprise applications to spur economic development,” Motorola Co-CEO and President Greg Brown said in a press release. The move will “make broadband access, as well as other communication services, available to millions of underserved Americans.” Release.

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