REDMOND, Wash. – November 4, 2008 – Microsoft thanks Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Kevin Martin and the other FCC Commissioners for their hard work leading up to today’s vote. Their action today will allow every American to realize the enormous potential of white spaces.

Today’s vote ushers in a new era of wireless broadband innovation. Like other unlicensed facilities, which enabled popular technologies such as WiFi and Bluetooth, white spaces will make possible new and creative solutions to a range of broadband connectivity challenges. For example, white-spaces radios can help rural communities to augment their broadband Internet access inexpensively. Today’s vote also makes possible new ways to connect people and devices to each other and to Internet-based services, helping boost American productivity. And it will create opportunities for American companies to remain at the forefront of technological innovation worldwide, helping to create jobs and economic growth.

We look forward to playing our part in helping to realize the wireless broadband potential of the white spaces.

Contact:

Ben Hammer, The Glover Park Group, bhammer@gloverparkgroup.com
Nell McGarity, The Glover Park Group, nmcgarity@gloverparkgroup.com

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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