A method and an apparatus is provided for conducting wireless data communications using whitespace and non-whitespace channels. A short-range base station with an interface for whitespace channels and another interface for non-whitespace channels communicates with user equipment outfitted with equivalent interfaces. The short-range base station has a preference for using the interface for the whitespace channels, where the whitespace channels are whitespace spectrum bands that are available during periods when a primary user is not actively utilizing the whitespace. A spectrum server analyzes spectrum occupancy database information and whitespace spectrum sensing measurements to determine lists of available whitespace spectrum bands for use by the short-range base station.