Broadcasters Wary Of Broadband Plan's Spectrum Proposal
Broadcasters voiced concern Monday with a provision in the national broadband plan released by the FCC that urges broadcasters to give up some spectrum, saying it doesn't appear as "voluntary" as promised.
The broadband plan anticipates that 120 MHz would be relinquished by TV broadcasters, who would receive some of the proceeds from auctioning their airwaves. While the agency encourages stations to give up frequencies voluntarily, it holds open the possibility of mandatory steps -- such as spectrum fees and sharing transmission towers -- that are strongly opposed by the National Association of Broadcasters.
"We were pleased by initial indications from FCC members that any spectrum reallocation would be voluntary, and were therefore prepared to move forward in a constructive fashion on that basis," NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton said in a statement. "However, we are concerned by reports today that suggest many aspects of the plan may in fact not be as voluntary as originally promised. Moreover, as the nation's only communications service that is free, local and ubiquitous, we would oppose any attempt to impose onerous new spectrum fees on broadcasters."
The statement added that broadcasters have already returned 108 megahertz of spectrum as part of the transition from analog to digital television. Still, in the broadband plan, the FCC calls for making 500 megahertz of spectrum available for broadband in the next decade, adding that 300 megahertz should be available for mobile broadband within five years. The NAB argues that the FCC should conduct a spectrum inventory, as called for by legislation approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee last week, before moving forward on any reallocation plan.
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