FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is urging his colleagues at the agency to approve the use of unlicensed white space spectrum that sits alongside spectrum T-Mobile is using for its 3G network, Broadcasting & Cable reports. The FCC is scheduled to vote on the measure Nov. 4. Martin is proposing that devices be allowed to operate in the spectrum so long as they don’t interfere with adjacent licensed spectrum. Power levels would also be more limited for devices operating alongside digital TV channels. The FCC is considering a proposal that would allow devices to operate at 100 milliwatts, but only 40 milliwatts on adjacent channels.

Martin also reiterated the recent report that concluded devices could operate on white spaces without interfering with other broadcasts, but the FCC has been testing devices for months with mixed results. The FCC testing is being sold as an opportunity to draw up new rules to ensure interference doesn’t occur, rather than a test on compliance with existing rules. An odd shift, considering TV broadcasters around the country are in the process of converting over-the-air TV to adjacent digital TV spectrum. Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT), Dell, Motorola (NYSE: MOT) and Google (NSDQ: GOOG) are just some of the companies that want unlicensed access to the vacant TV channels for high-speed wireless services, but broadcasters and wireless-microphone manufacturers have fought against any such move along with T-Mobile. Martin doesn’t believe unlicensed devices would become available for use on the spectrum for at least a year and perhaps longer.

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