NAB defends TV spectrum use

0

Television spectrum is hardly laying fallow, points out the National Association of Broadcasters. It argues that a recent study commissioned by CEA failed to consider or valuate public interest in spectrum use, nor did it take into account new applications currently being deployed. NAB noted that not even CEA sees the study as the final word on the topic.


NAB’s Dennis Wharton commented, “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.”

He continued, “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.”

RBR-TVBR observation: NAB is spot-on. This portion of the spectrum is not the first place that the FCC should be looking as it seeks room for other wireless applications.