Makers of wireless broadband devices that don't include geolocation capabilities can also apply for FCC certification, but they will face a "much more rigorous" approval process, the FCC said in a press release. Those applications will be open for public comment before the FCC approves them.

The FCC will also act promptly to remove any devices that cause interference, the FCC said.

The FCC vote will "greatly complicate the lives of wireless microphone users across the United States and negatively affect tens of millions of Americans listening to live and broadcast events,” Mark Brunner, Shure’s senior director of global public and industry relations, said in a statement.

Several groups and companies, including Microsoft and the Information Technology Association of America, praised the FCC's decision. “This is a great order, a great start, and a great day for innovation,” said Jake Ward, a spokesman for the Wireless Innovation Alliance, a group representing several large tech vendors and public interest groups.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, who pushed for the white-spaces proposal, said the vote will allow many kinds of new technology, including enhanced home broadband networks and intelligent peer-to-peer devices.

"Opening the white spaces will allow for the creation of a Wi-Fi on steroids," he said. "It has the potential to improve wireless broadband connectivity and inspire an ever-widening array of new Internet-based products and services for consumers."

In other votes, the FCC on Tuesday approved Verizon Wireless' acquisition of rival Alltel, on the condition that Verizon sell off wireless equipment in 100 U.S. markets. The FCC also voted to allow, with conditions, the transfer of spectrum licenses held by Sprint Nextel and Clearwire to a company called New Clearwire.

New Clearwire wants to build a nationwide WiMax wireless broadband network.