Battle Lines Take Shape in Spectrum Showdown

Officials at the Federal Communications Commission knew that the ambitious project of developing a national broadband plan would spark some opposition from various corners of the industry. And they did not disappoint.

Broadcasters are already planning their campaign to oppose the FCC’s proposal to reclaim some of their spectrum to support mobile broadband. That will require congressional approval, and that’s where the industry lobby will focus its attention.

Datamation has the details.

WASHINGTON — When communications regulators delivered their national broadband plan to Congress last month, the wireless industry appeared to score a victory, praising the plan’s recommendations to reallocate large swaths of spectrum for mobile broadband networks.

But the spectrum question remains highly unsettled, as the Federal Communications Commission would require congressional approval to buy back licenses from television broadcasters to then sell at “incentive auctions.”

Broadcasters are already gearing up for what promises to be a protracted fight in Congress over the issue.

“The play will be in Congress,” a senior broadcast industry source told InternetNews.com.

Read the full story at Datamation:


The Winding Road to Spectrum Reform