News

FCC Tries To Clear The Air

In a surprising move federal regulators adjust the rules guiding television broadcasters access to spectrum in order to hurry their exit of valuable spectrum.

by ISP-Planet Staff [September 18, 2001]

The Federal Communications Commission Monday modified its rules to encourage private arrangements between television broadcasters and potential new spectrum owners. Move was made in order to clear certain channels and accelerate opening up new bands of airwaves available to wireless broadband communication companies.

Television broadcasters occupying channels 60-69 are supposed to move to digital from analog airwaves by the end of 2006 or when the penetration rate for digital television in the U.S. reaches 85 percent, whichever comes later.

The FCC plans to resell the airwaves to mobile telephone companies like Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless services. But, wireless companies are hesitant to bid much for these airwaves because it's uncertain when the television broadcasters would completely clear the spectrum.

Industry and government officials warned that they doubt broadcaster's transition to digital signals will be completed by the end of 2006 because of the high prices for digital television sets and converters.

But the FCC was petitioned by some television broadcasters, including a group led by Paxson Communications Corp., to adjust some federal rules and allow deals with wireless carriers that could essentially pay the broadcasters to vacate the airwaves sooner.

The agency then hastened the deadline for broadcasters converting from analog to digital signals. Broadcasters have about four years, until Dec. 31, 2005, to vacate their airwaves.

FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin warned that opening up the spectrum is important, so is free TV programming.

"In our quest to move incumbent broadcasters off this band, we must not lose sight of the value of free, over-the-air television services," Martin said. "I agree that extending the time period in which single channel broadcasters may continue analog operations will help prevent a premature disruption of these valuable services."

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