/ 03.15.2010 12:00AM
FCC Proposes Reallocating 40 Percent of Broadcast Spectrum
WASHINGTON: Broadcasters stand to lose 40 percent of their
spectrum under the FCC’s new National Broadband Plan, due on Capitol Hill
tomorrow. The plan was released in Washington today; details emerged in several
reports. The goal of the plan is to bring 100 Mbps broadband access to 100
million American homes in 10 years, nearly doubling the current reach of
high-speed Internet access.
It calls for making 500 MHz of spectrum available in 10 years, and 300 MHz
available within the next five years, for both licensed and unlicensed use. Of
that, 120 MHz is to come from television broadcasters, who now occupy roughly
300 MHz.
“Spectrum is a major input for providers of broadband services,” the
commission’s executive summary states. “Currently, the FCC has only 50 MHz in
inventory, just a fraction of the amount that will be necessary to match
growing demand.”
The plan suggests incentive auctions, with proceeds to be shared “in an
equitable manner with current licensees are market demands change... for
example, this would allow the FCC to share auction proceeds with broadcasters
who voluntarily agree to use technology to continue traditional broadcasting
services with less spectrum.”
Spectrum would ostensibly be freed up by channel repacking, which occurred last
June with the digital transition, and/or voluntary relinquishment.
A Greek chorus of lawmakers and lobbyists lauded the plan. Rep. Rick Boucher
(D-Va.) said the FCC had done “a superb job in meeting the challenge set forth
by Congress.” Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said it would “unleash a tidal wave of
new investment and innovation.” The often prickly D.C. public-interest group
Public Knowledge said the commission produced a “balanced, comprehensive and
forward-looking plan that should serve the country well.” Exercising a bit more
restraint, Mark Cooper of the Consumer Federation of America said it was a
“significant first step in the right direction.”
The broadcast lobby went on the offensive. The NAB’s Dennis Wharton said the
NAB was “pleased” by initial indications that spectrum reallocation would be
voluntary, “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.”
He noted that broadcasters had already returned 108 MHz of spectrum in the
digital transition, comprising more than one-fourth of TV’s total. He also said
the NAB “strongly support[s]” the pending bills on Capitol Hill that would
require an inventory of all available spectrum.
“No reallocation plan should move forward without a complete accounting of how
the airwaves are allocated, licensed and used,” he wrote.
The FCC will present the full plan to Congress tomorrow. --
Deborah D. McAdams