A six-partner coalition (including Microsoft, Google and Dell) wants to use the so-called "white space" spectrum -- partially freed by the migration to digital television -- to offer consumers cheap broadband via the airwaves. However, their initial trial devices submitted to the FCC for testing didn't fare very well.

The Commission stated that the devices, which were supposed to automatically detect nearby wireless signals and adjust accordingly, failed to do so. Microsoft is now disputing the findings, and says that a second prototype given to the FCC last week worked effectively.

The FCC is holding a meeting Thursday to discuss testing options for white space devices.