FCC reiterates plans to give carriers more spectrum

Federal Communications Commission Chariman Julius Genchowski again articulated his agency’s plan to create more spectrum for mobile broadband by using repurposed TV spectrum but this time, he delivered his plan to a somewhat hostile audience at the National Association of Broadcasters conference.

The FCC wants TV broadcasters to give back some spectrum that will be auctioned off to mobile carriers (or any company with the money to buy it). In the FCC’s mind, this is a win-win: carriers get more spectrum to bring more mobile broadband services to people and broadcasters would get a portion of the revenues from the auction.

“I believe the single most important step that will drive our mobile economy and address consumer frustration is authorizing voluntary incentive auctions,” FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, according to Reuters.

The FCC plan is mandatory right now and it is hoping to get as much as 120 MHz of spectrum out of the deal. This is all part of President Obama’s plan to ultimately free up 500 MHz of spectrum for mobile broadband services.

The broadcasters are playing nice for the moment and saying the industry will study the auction plan but many aren’t that happy. Broadcasters just lost a major chunk of spectrum while switching over to digital for DTV and now the industry is being asked to sacrifice more.

Something is going to have to give, as we definitely are going to face a spectrum crunch in the next few years as smartphones and tablets proliferate. The FCC won’t be able to force much at the industry though, particularly because of the divided representation in the government now.

What do you think friends? Is this a fair way to carve out some more spectrum? Should we be looking at technology to help maximize the existing spectrum instead?

[Via Reuters]