White-Space Spectrum

In the United States, television frequencies such as those centered around a relatively low 180 MHz band have been available to tech companies since a Federal Communications Commission rule change in 2008. Similar moves in the United Kingdom have left frequencies such as those around 700 MHz, previously designated for television signals, open to commercial use. One proposal for developing these frequencies is to establish municipal or territorial Wi-Fi systems, with some positing a future "5G" network enabling more Wi-Fi opportunities in major cities.

The disclaimer for the white-space spectrum is that companies must identify which signals are not being actively used for television broadcast. It's also incumbent upon device makers and other tech companies to come up with ways to find the best frequencies for communication in real time. Experts believe that with legislate progress, tech makers now need to catch up in terms of making products that can take advantage of the available frequencies.