WASHINGTON-Even before the Federal Communications Commission voted last week to solicit comments regarding the possibility of taking back UHF broadcast channels 60 through 69, the National Association of Broadcasters let it be known that non-broadcast use of these channels probably would be unacceptable during the analog-to-digital television transition. The FCC made it clear that it thinks otherwise.
If adopted, tenets of the further notice of proposed rulemaking could open the door to “allow us to recover in the near future the vast bulk of the 60 megahertz of spectrum at channels 60 through 69, which are lightly used by analog broadcasters,” wrote FCC Chairman Reed Hundt in a separate statement attached to the FNPRM. “We could auction that spectrum for flexible use, generating funds that could be used for many purposes, including rebuilding schools and funding PBS. We could also use a portion of that spectrum to solve the serious spectrum needs of the public safety community. We’ve had great luck traveling this road before.”
He continued, “Roughly 20 years ago, we recovered UHF TV channels 70-84 and reallocated them for cellular telephone service, a decision that helped jump-start an industry and that has paid enormous dividends.”
In addition, a July 18 letter sent to Hundt by the National Governors’ Association said in part, “Channels 60-69 are situated near portions of the spectrum used by state and local public service agencies. These channels are also high quality and relatively available for conversion to new purposes in a short time. We urge you to look carefully at public safety needs as you consider the future use of channels 60-69.”
During the commission’s proposed advanced television transition period-which ranges from the Clinton administration’s nine years to the FCC’s current 15 years-broadcasters would be assigned one digital channel for every analog channel in a core 2-51 channel region. The FCC believes this core supplies the best technical environment for digital TV plus it claims all incumbent broadcast licensees could be accommodated in this range. However, some 30 digital assignments could be made in the 60-69 range, and they would continue to be protected against interference; the rest of the spectrum would be taken back by the commission early in the transition period for possible flexible reallotment to new and existing services, including public safety.
An alternative option would assign broadcasters digital channels throughout the entire 2-69 range, with recovery of channels 60-69 coming at the end of the transition period. Land mobile channels in the 14-20 range will continue to be protected.
Despite Hundt’s optimism that portions of the regained spectrum could be allocated for growing public-safety needs, Bruce Franca of the commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology said that no decision regarding how much spectrum-if any-public safety could be allotted following any takeback or how much the industry would be required to pay for it. This statement somewhat flies in the face of public-safety industry reports citing FCC and Administration promises that such groups definitely would receive channels in return for their support of auctions (RCR, July 22, p. 1).
Even though such spectrum would not be available for anything other than broadcast use for at least 12 months, NAB, concerned about possible interference to the few broadcasters that will be left in the 60-69 channel range, could oppose any flexible use of the 60 megahertz of spectrum in that range. According to NAB spokeswoman Patti McNeill, NAB’s transition plan incorporates all broadcast channels from 2 through 69, and the association is doubtful that the FCC can make good on interference safeguards.
NAB also took some heat last week in the House when Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) introduced on the floor an amendment to the Commerce appropriations bill that, if passed, would have prevented the FCC from assigning digital licenses to broadcasters; rather, he, like probable Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, who reportedly has included broadcast auctions in a pending campaign-oriented tax-cut plan, does not want to see any giveaway of spectrum.
