If and when White Spaces networks become a major success story, it will be a very well-organized one. Internet-capable devices will get online by accessing the empty airwaves in unused TV channels, and they'll avoid interference with actual broadcasts by connecting to databases that keep track of all available spectrum.

Google today began a public test of a White Spaces database to help make this a reality. Google isn't the first to operate one of these databases, but it's done so with a very Google-like approach. In addition to letting white space devices identify available spectrum, Google unveiled a browser-based tool that lets anybody find out what spectrum is available nearby.

It's not necessarily useful if you don't live in one of the few areas where white spaces networks have been built out, but it offers an interesting look at how TV broadcast spectrum is used across the country, and it's a bit simpler and more user-friendly than your typical spectrum maps.

"Anyone can use the spectrum browser to see TV white spaces spectrum that is available in their specific location," Google writes. "Once the database is certified and gone through additional steps with the FCC, the database will allow registered devices to check the database automatically, identifying what spectrum is available locally and using those available bands. Our database also provides some basic information on spectrum and spectrum sharing to help people learn more about this approach."

Google's database will face a 45-day trial with the Federal Communications Commission to make sure it's up to snuff. If it passes the test, Google will join Spectrum Bridge and Telcordia in operating active white spaces databases.

Google's spectrum browser allows users to search for addresses or latitude and longitude to find what channels are available for white spaces usage. For example, one of my searches for Boston, MA turned up eight available channels covering 48MHz of spectrum.

For each channel, the database will show you whether it allows access from fixed devices (such as commercial Wi-Fi Hot-Spots, rural broadband distribution, or cellular-style installations) or portable devices (like laptops, Wi-Fi access points, tablets, and smartphones).

The channel list in Boston looks like this (click the picture to make it larger):

If you find this sort of thing intriguing, check out Google's database yourself.