The link between wireless broadband and hospitals is being investigated in the US after doctors warned that medical equipment could be affected.

Medical professionals have suggested wireless broadband use from PDAs and laptops could result in hospital equipment that depends on wireless technology being switched off, according to Channel News.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will investigate "unsubstantiated" reports that hospital equipment could be affected by the use of so-called white spaces - empty channels - created by wireless broadband users.

Medical company GE Healthcare made an FCC filing requesting tighter controls to prevent "heart, blood pressure and respiration devices from being overwhelmed by other equipment operating in nearby channels".

If the claims are shown to have some validity, it could well affect the millions of wireless broadband users in the UK.

BT recently announced that it would allow unlimited access to its wireless broadband networks BT Openzone and BT Fon to all of its home broadband customers.

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