The voting on the controversial auction of 25 megahertz of radio spectrum in the 2,155- to 2,180-MHz band might be delayed. Democrat Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia wants the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to refrain from taking up major items while it oversees the February 2009 transition to digital television.

The FCC could vote on the issue as early as December 18, before Chairman Kevin Martin leaves. Martin, who proposed the auction, wants the winner to use some of the airwaves to give Internet users free access through an ad-supported system, possibly offering faster service through subscriptions.

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, the US Department of Commerce and the White House oppose the FCC’s plan to promote free wireless Internet throughout the country. Earlier too, the Commerce Department had expressed opposition to the plan, but now President opposes it as well.

In a letter, Commerce Secretary, Carlos Gutierrez, said that the FCC spectrum auctions illustrated increased potential for problems when licensing is “overly prescriptive or designed around unproven business models.”

Martin’s plan has also been opposed by providers. They opine that competition should drive growth, and help support the cost of building networks. They also say that opening the airwaves could allow interference with networks they have spent millions to acquire.

However, the FCC has dismissed those concerns, saying the airwaves could be opened without posing significant risks of interference.