The folks representing broadcasting in Washington would like a little more information about the FCC’s developing spectrum plan. Amid calls to reallocate broadcast spectrum for wireless broadband, the National Association of Broadcasters and the Association for Maximum Service Television filed comments late Friday on the commission’s September request for feedback on spectrum management practices.
“NAB and MSTV encouraged the FCC to consider all frequencies that may be suitable for wireless broadband, noting that frequencies above 3.7 GHz have been allocated for a variety of wireless services, including broadband applications. NAB also noted that broadcasters recently freed up more than 100 MHz of spectrum through the digital TV transition,” the NAB said in a filing notification.
The FCC’s query comprises five main areas: What can current wireless allocations handle now? What’s the ability for it to accommodate new services? What is the anticipated demand and the requirement to fulfill it? What spectrum is best suited for fixed wireless broadband? What are the key issues of reallocation with regard to public interest?
“The multi-billion dollar investments by broadcast television stations, equipment manufacturers, the government and consumers have enabled the intensive use of each television station’s 6 MHz channel to deliver a variety of high-definition and multicast programming, mobile DTV and other ancillary and supplemental services--all while freeing up more than 100 MHz of spectrum for wireless broadband and other new commercial and public safety uses,” NAB and MSTV said.
They urged the FCC to create a broadband plan that “is in harmony with the public policy goals served by existing uses of the spectrum.”
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