tect or be told when they can and cannot use this unused bandwidth. On 4 November 2009 the US chose a new president and the FCC voted to allow white-space devices to be deployed into the US UHF TV band. This simple decision has potentially pro- found consequences for the broadcasting industry, the cellular industry and other communities with an interest in how regulated and unregulated and licensed and unlicensed spectrum is used in the future, both in the US, the UK, Europe and Asia. The white-space ruling is the direct result of robust petitioning from the Wireless Innovation Alliance 14 supported by eight technology companies, Microsoft, Google, Dell, HP, Intel, Philips, Earth link and Samsung Electro Mechanics. White-space devices based on spectrum-sensing principles already applied in the 5 GHz U- Niii band have been heralded as the birth of a new age in fixed, portable and mobile broadband access. In addition to the core companies in the WIA, other companies such as Motorola are actively promoting white space for municipal wide area WiFi. Alternative suggestions include the use of the spectrum for low-cost cellular wireless backhaul. The deployment of these devices is, however, controversial. Existing users in the band including TV and wireless microphones contend that interference issues remain unresolved. 14 http://www.wirelessinnovationalliance.org/ Making Telecoms Work Cellular operators who have either already invested in the band (AT and T and Verizon in the US) or are preparing to bid in future 700- and 800-MHz UHF auctions question the impact that white-space devices will have on present and future mobile broadband business plans. Additionally, white-space devices could be deployed in other bands in other countries. This could be perceived either as a threat or an opportunity for cellular operators and the service provider community. The assumption is that as this is unlicensed spectrum, wireless access can be provided on a more cost economic basis, for example for free. In comparison, broadcasters 