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There’s a shortage of wireless spectrum in the US, and it seems TV broadcasters are hoarding more than they need. To answer the “looming spectrum gap,” the FCC has announced that it is considering pulling a “Robin Hood” and taking wireless spectrum away from TV and giving it to wireless carriers. In addition to enacting proposed Net Neutrality rules, the FCC is considering shifting airwaves reserved for digital television broadcasts and auctioned off to wireless service providers – potentially putting upwards of $62 billion in federal coffers, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski believes that the US is on the verge of running out of wireless spectrum to meet the growing demand for wireless services. Under the proposed plan, TV stations would be compensated by the FCC for having some of their spectrum pulled out from under them. But, it’s likely that broadcasters will fight the FCC’s plan. The National Association of Broadcasters “believes it is imperative that policy makers explore spectrum efficiency choices that don’t limit consumer access to the full potential of digital broadcasting,” said spokesman Dennis Wharton.
The proposed spectrum auction is still in its early stages, so it’s unclear if the FCC’s final national broadband plan will include provisions to reallocate spectrum for wireless carriers. We’ll have to wait to see if the FCC pulls the trigger on their “Robin Hood Plan.”
[Via: WSJ]
About The Author
Will Park
Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...
