<P> Beginning in 1994, the FCC has usually assigned commercial spectrum licenses through the use of competitive bidding, i.e., spectrum auctions . These auctions have raised tens of billions of dollars for the U.S. Treasury, and the FCC's auction approach is now widely emulated throughout the world . The FCC typically obtains spectrum for auction that has been reclaimed from other uses, such as spectrum returned by television broadcasters after the digital television transition, or spectrum made available by federal agencies able to shift their operations to other bands . </P> <P> Normally, any intentional radio transmission requires an FCC license pursuant to Title III . However, in recent decades the FCC has also opened some spectrum bands for unlicensed operations, typically restricting them to low power levels conducive to short - range applications . This has facilitated the development of a very wide range of common technologies from wireless garage door openers, cordless phones, and baby monitors to Wi - Fi and Bluetooth among others . However, unlicensed devices--like most radio transmission equipment--must still receive technical approval from the FCC before being sold into the marketplace, including to ensure that such devices cannot be modified by end users to increase transmit power above FCC limits . </P> <P> "White spaces" are radio frequencies that went unused after the federally mandated transformation of analog TV signal to digital . On October 15, 2008, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced his support for the unlicensed use of white spaces . Martin said he was "hoping to take advantage of utilizing these airwaves for broadband services to allow for unlicensed technologies and new innovations in that space ." </P> <P> Google, Microsoft and other companies are vying for the use of this white - space to support innovation in Wi - Fi technology . Broadcasters and wireless microphone manufacturers fear that the use of white space would "disrupt their broadcasts and the signals used in sports events and concerts ." Cell phone providers such as T - Mobile USA have mounted pressure on the FCC to instead offer up the white space for sale to boost competition and market leverage . </P>

Who are the voting members of the fcc