WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S.Federal Communications Commission on Thursday voted to permit certain wireless devices to use vacant airwaves between active television channels as long as they do not cause interference.

Companies like computer chipmaker Intel Corp. (Nasdaq:INTC - news) have pushed the FCC to make those airwaves available for use without a license for services like high-speed wireless Internet. But broadcasters have worried about possible signal disruptions.

"Allowing low-power wireless devices to operate in the unused portions of the television bands could be an efficient and effective use of this unused spectrum," FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said at the agency's monthly open meeting.

The FCC agreed to permit the use of fixed, low-powered, wireless equipment on some unused channel frequencies and said it would conduct testing to assess interference and encouraged others to submit their findings.

The FCC said it expected to have the laboratory test results on interference by July and would set final technical requirements for the devices by October 2007.

The National Association of Broadcasters said it looked forward to working with the agency.

Marketing of the devices would only be allowed when television broadcasters switch to airing their digital signals and return their old analog airwaves to the government in February 2009, the FCC said.

"I think it strikes the right balance by promoting the development of new technologies while ensuring that over-the-air television is not subject to harmful interference," said FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein.

Signals from the airwaves at issue, frequencies below 900 megahertz, can easily penetrate walls, trees and other obstructions unlike the higher frequencies.

Intel attorney Marjorie Dickman said the company welcomed the FCC's decision because it wanted additional airwaves available for other uses than television service.

Intel "commends Chairman Martin for moving forward with the proceeding and looks forward to continuing to work with the FCC to make additional airwaves available for fixed-wireless, high-speed, Internet services in rural areas and for personal, home and office networking purposes," she said.