WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina city that became the first in the country to switch to all-digital television is using some of the broadcast spectrum vacated by TV stations for a publically available, super wireless Internet service.

New Hanover County says it has launched the world's first commercial white spaces network. The technology allows wireless signals to pass through walls and trees that would block most Wi-Fi service.

The Federal Communications Commission's Alan Stillwell says the technology will allow wireless services to reach rural areas where telephone and cable companies don't offer broadband service.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo says the network also allows the city's police department to install surveillance cameras at a fraction of the cost of installing those requiring cables to transmit a signal.