The FCC Wednesday announced it is seeking additional information on the use of spectrum currently licensed to broadcast television stations as part of its effort to craft a national broadband plan. The notice of inquiry emerged out of comments submitted about the FCC's broadband plan and the agency's efforts to find more spectrum for wireless broadband. Some commenters have questioned whether there is sufficient spectrum "to meet the demand for wireless broadband services in the near future and have urged the commission to make available more spectrum for commercial uses," the FCC said in its notice.

While pledging to take into account the importance of free, over-the-air television, the inquiry seeks to explore "market-based mechanisms for television broadcasters to contribute to the broadband effort any spectrum in excess of that which they need to meet their public interest obligations and remain financially viable." Among the questions the FCC is seeking comment on is whether broadcasters could share 6 megahertz channels in some markets without significantly disrupting free over-the-air television service.

NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton responded coolly to the inquiry, noting that after spending billions of dollars upgrading to digital signals, broadcasters recently returned "more than a quarter of the spectrum" used for free over-the-air TV service. "Broadband deployment to unserved areas is a worthy goal, and broadcasters believe we can help the FCC accomplish its mission without stifling growth opportunities of free and local TV stations and the millions of viewers that we serve," he said in a statement.

The public interest group Public Knowledge praised the inquiry. "The FCC is displaying significant courage and foresight in asking about the future of the broadcast spectrum," Public Knowledge President Gigi Sohn said in a statement. "This issue traditionally has not been open for public discussion, and we are pleased to see that it is now part of the broadband agenda."