WASHINGTON: The National Association of Broadcasters today dismissed a recent study funded by the Consumer Electronics Association estimating the market-value of broadcast television spectrum. The study was filed with the Federal Communications Commission late Friday, and while CEA commissioned the study, the group also told the federal agency that it “does not necessarily endorse” the results.
NAB Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton issued the following statement regarding the study:
“CEA’s study ignores the immeasurable public benefit of a vibrant free and local broadcasting system that is ubiquitous, reliable as a lifeline service in times of emergency, and flexible enough to include HDTV, diverse multicast programming and mobile DTV. That CEA itself does not endorse its own commissioned study reinforces its isolation as primarily an academic exercise. Meanwhile, broadcasters and forward-thinking CEA member companies have embraced mobile DTV to enable delivery of live and local TV to cellphones, laptops and the back seats of cars.
“Notably, television broadcasters just returned a third of our spectrum to government as part of our historic DTV transition. As the FCC’s process to recommend a National Broadband Plan moves forward, NAB believes it is imperative that policymakers explore spectrum efficiency choices that don’t limit consumer access to the full potential of digital broadcasting.”
NAB reiterated the comments it filed on the FCC’s request for information on the national broadband plan.
More on the spectrum study and NAB’s filing:
October 26, 2009: “Broadcast Frequencies Deemed Easiest to Reallocate”
The conclusion of the Coleman Bazelon of The Brattle Group is that the radio frequencies used for broadcast would be the easiest to reallocate for broadband, and bring about $62 billion at auction.
October 26, 2009: “Broadcasters Want Facts About Spectrum Demands”
“NAB and MSTV encouraged the FCC to consider all frequencies that may be suitable for wireless broadband.
