If you’re the kind of person who hates to see things wasted, a new set of trials being undertaken by some of the world’s largest technology companies will be worth a look.

Designed to overcome the challenge of improving broadband access speeds, the trials involve a new delivery mechanism that could make things like fibre-to-the-node networks all but unnecessary.

The idea is to make use of the wasted ‘white space’ spectrum that sits in between digital television channels. Proponents believe that the spectrum chunks, currently used for nothing, could be put to work to deliver high-speed data connections to people desperate to improve their internet speeds.

In theory such used of the white spaces makes a lot of sense. Digital spectrum is a very precious resource, so anything that can extract more from it has to be a good thing.

The only fly in the ointment is interference. Everyone from television broadcasters to users of sensitive electronic equipment (such as hospitals) fear using the spectrum for high-speed data transfer could lead to troubles.

To head this off, a range of companies are undertaking limited field trials of white space broadcast devices in an effort to show they can be made to behave themselves while delivering worthwhile speeds.

Just last week Motorola undertook a test in the United States that it claims was a success. The test used devices that scanned for existing signals (such as TV stations) in a certain frequency band and then automatically made use of spare capacity.

The tests are being watched closely by companies such as Google and Microsoft which are also keen to get in on the white spaces action. Google has made no secret of its desire to own internet capacity and Microsoft is also keen to position itself as a service provider in areas where it makes sense.

The technology still has a long way to go and much opposition to overcome, but if telecoms companies such as Motorola can successfully prove its potential, the impact on broadband access could be significant.

It’s a case of “watch this space”. It could prove to be the future for your internet connection.