If you’ve been planning on filing reply comments in response to the FCC’s TV spectrum re-purposing NPRM but you haven’t gotten around to it yet, you’re in luck! Everybody’s been given an extra week, thanks to an extension that pushes the reply comment deadline to next Friday, April 25. The extension comes at the request of several broadcasters and state broadcast associations concerned that the original reply comment deadline fell immediately after the close of the NAB convention in Las Vegas.
Spectrum auctions and repacking were among the biggest items on the convention agenda for all concerned – FCC staff, Commissioners and industry alike. As a result of that opportunity to share information and insights, many interested parties are now in a better position to formulate reply comments that can contribute significantly to the Commission’s on-going consideration of the complicated issues on the table.
The last chance to say your piece (at least at this stage of the proceeding) is now fast approaching.
The spectrum re-purposing NPRM, released last November, was the opening barrage in the FCC’s campaign for full implementation of the National Broadband Plan – a plan which calls for the “repurposing” of 120 MHz of prime spectrum real estate from television broadcasters to wireless broadband providers. Among other things, the FCC is proposing to: (a) loosen service rules to permit wireless uses of broadcast spectrum on a co-primary basis with television stations; (b) establish a framework for two or more television stations to share a single six-megahertz channel; and (c) explore opportunities to increase the viability and attractiveness of VHF channels to folks might move on down the band. The FCC claims these steps are necessary to increase the efficient use of the TV spectrum (both UHF and VHF) and facilitate ongoing wireless innovation.
In their initial comments, as might be expected, many wireless providers and wireless equipment manufacturers have heartily agreed with the Commission’s plans. (They even hosted a pow-wow with FCC staffers at CTIA’s headquarters.)
Broadcasters, on the other hand, have been less receptive to the FCC’s ideas. They have questioned whether the incentive auction would truly be voluntary and expressed concern over the potential impact of repacking on a wide range of factors (e.g., service contours, availability of minority-focused programming, ownership limits, disruption of nascent mobile TV services).
Other commenters have urged the FCC to look beyond a strictly auction scenario. Perhaps, for one example, stations could be allowed to use their spectrum flexibly, providing both wireless broadband and over-the-air TV. Or maybe broadcasters could be permitted to negotiate directly with broadband providers to lease/sell portions of their spectrum.
If you have an interest in the outcome of this proceeding – and, frankly, who doesn’t? – you should take this opportunity to join the debate. Check out the comments that have been filed thus far in the docket and then take the time to let the FCC know your thoughts. Again, the reply comment deadline has been extended to that anyone looking to participate may submit their reply comments electronically by 11:59 p.m. on April 25, 2011. If you have any questions about this or would like any help, feel free to let us know.
