rwilli1
12-03-2009, 04:48 PM
Satellite : The Spectrum Conundrum
The Spectrum Conundrum Gets Serious: FCC Has Questions
And US broadcasters will need to have answers by the 21st. The Federal Communications Commission issued a public notice asking specific questions about the usage of spectrum in America. The FCC says, "This inquiry takes into account the value that the United States puts on free, over-the-air television, while also exploring 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." (Go to xxx.fcc.gov and click on "Data Sought on Uses of Spectrum. Public Notice dated 12/02/09" for details). This is part of the National Broadband Plan which has led to the FCC attempting to rethink the world. We've often written here (and in CableFAX) about using spectrum for something better than serving a small percentage of TVHHs and just a couple of months ago, FCC's Blair Levin floated the idea of buying back spectrum from broadcasters. They, of course, reacted with horror noting that the digital transition had just cost broadcasters a fortune while returning spectrum to the government. This issue is going to get even more serious next year and might wind up as electric as raising cable rates as the elections near.•
The Spectrum Conundrum Gets Serious: FCC Has Questions
And US broadcasters will need to have answers by the 21st. The Federal Communications Commission issued a public notice asking specific questions about the usage of spectrum in America. The FCC says, "This inquiry takes into account the value that the United States puts on free, over-the-air television, while also exploring 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." (Go to xxx.fcc.gov and click on "Data Sought on Uses of Spectrum. Public Notice dated 12/02/09" for details). This is part of the National Broadband Plan which has led to the FCC attempting to rethink the world. We've often written here (and in CableFAX) about using spectrum for something better than serving a small percentage of TVHHs and just a couple of months ago, FCC's Blair Levin floated the idea of buying back spectrum from broadcasters. They, of course, reacted with horror noting that the digital transition had just cost broadcasters a fortune while returning spectrum to the government. This issue is going to get even more serious next year and might wind up as electric as raising cable rates as the elections near.•