Google rooted on the Federal Communications Commission, which Sept. 23 freed up the so-called white spaces, or vacant airwaves between TV channels that can power speedy wireless broadband networks.

TV airwave signals travel far and through walls, making the spectrum well-suited for mobile devices that connect wirelessly to the Web, such as smartphones and tablet computers.

Google, Facebook, and other Internet companies covet this spectrum because they want propagate their Web applications on smartphones, tablets, TVs and any device that will connect to the Internet.

The FCC had pre-approved white space use for the public in 2008, but the effort become bogged down.

Richard Whitt, Google’s Washington telecom and media counsel, wrote in a blog post:

‘Today’s order finally sets the stage for the next generation of wireless technologies to emerge, and is an important victory for Internet users across the country.

Google is already testing the white spaces. The company Sept. 14 launched a broadband network using the spectrum at the Hocking Valley Community Hospital in Logan, Ohio.

Google helped the hospital outfit first responder vehicles with the network. The hospital is also using the network to manage its video surveillance for the hospital grounds.

Google rival Microsoft has been testing technology at its Redmond, Wash., […]