Spectrum is another word for the public airwaves, the transmission frequencies used by radio, TV and satellite broadcasters and cell phone companies to transmit signals.

While broadcasters and wireless companies have government-issued licenses to certain portions of the spectrum, other swaths are unlicensed, meaning that any company can develop a product -- such as your cordless home phone, bluetooth headset or remote control -- that utilizes open space.

As digital technology enables more efficient use of the spectrum, the airwaves can be used to provide high-speed Internet access. They have the potential to unleash the mobile Web, bridge the digital divide and provide universal, affordable Internet access for all Americans.

• On Nov. 4, 2008, the FCC cast a crucial vote to approve the unlicensed use of "white spaces" -- empty airwaves between television channels -- to provide high-speed Internet access nationwide. Click here to read about this enormous victory for the American public.

Free Press is active in multiple coalitions advocating for enlightened spectrum policy that serves the public interest by bringing the benefits of broadband to all Americans and fostering openness and innovation. These coalitions include the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) and the Wireless Innovation Alliance.

In Congress

The Wireless Innovation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1597/S. 234), 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.

At the FCC

Spectrum-related dockets at the FCC include:

• How best to utilize white spaces, vacant portions of the public airwaves with the potential to deliver wireless broadband services.

• The government auction of the 700MHz spectrum, a valuable slice of the public airwaves.

• The Skype Petition to require wireless phone carriers to allow any device and application to operate on their networks.

• The AWS-3 auction to allow the use of a block of spectrum for free access to a nationwide “family-friendly” Internet.