The Wireless Innovation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1597), introduced by Reps. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) and Nathan Deal (R-Ga.), would direct the FCC to move quickly to free up valuable but unused broadcast airwaves and make them available for wireless broadband use.

The bill would allow unlicensed, non-exclusive use of television broadcast channels between 54 MHz and 698 MHz that are currently wasted.

The Wireless Innovation Act is very important -- it would create affordable, widespread broadband in the United States. In most rural markets, there are more than a dozen empty broadcast channels that could be reclaimed and used to bring broadband to under-served areas. Even urban markets have significant 'white spaces' that could be used to provide more affordable broadband. With more unlicensed spectrum, the Community Internet networks being developed across the country would be even faster, more affordable and more reliable.

A companion bill, S. 234, has been introduced in the Senate.

Free Press supports this bill.