Microsoft, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Intel, and Motorola are developing products called white space devices (WSD) that will work on the 300MHz to 400MHz frequency that sits between broadcast TV channels. The said spectrum allows broadband signals to penetrate walls and travel farther than Wi-Fi, making it a lucrative business area.

The FCC is scheduled to bare new rules on the use of the spectrum next week and these will serve as basis for developing WSDs and white space services.

Dan Reed, corporate vice president for technology strategy and policy of Microsoft Corp., said the company's WSDs could be available within two to three years. But hardware partners will be manufacturing the products for the company.

The management and maintenance of databases required for the use of the spectrum will also be offered to other companies, he said.

Google Inc. had volunteered to build and operate white space databases for FCC.

WSDs will need to refer to such geolocation database that will tell the device which spectrum bands are available to avoid interfering with other licensed or unlicensed users of the spectrum.

Google spokesman Dan Martin, however, said the company is open to other WSD database operators that FCC will prefer.