Ofcom has launched a consultation to see if the free spectrum between TV channels could be used to boost connectivity in the UK.
Known as white space,' the low frequency spectrum could be made available to users for their wireless devices namely Wi-Fi and BlueTooth devices without the need for a licence.
"It has been known for some time that TV transmissions do not take up all of the spectrum, with some gaps being needed to avoid interference," said Ofcom.
"These gaps, or "white spaces", cannot be used for additional high power TV transmissions. However, lower power unlicensed devices could operate in these white spaces, as long as they can accurately identify where they are."
In its spectrum review back in 2004, Ofcom acknowledged this type of spectrum would be useful for newer devices but with the explosion in recent years of mobile connectivity, it is more relevant than ever.
"With the success of Wi-Fi has come increased congestion in the frequency band around 2.4GHz where it is commonly deployed," said the regulator.
"With many ideas for new applications that might be deployed in unlicensed spectrum there is global interest in finding new frequency bands."
The key to the new plans for white space will be a "geolocation database," enabling devices to pick up on the location of free spectrum.
The consultation period will end on 7 December this year and the regulator has said it should be its final review of the situation before being able to turn plans into practice by the end of next year.
