NAB questions spectrum hoarding

The National Association of Broadcasters accused Time Warner Cable Co. of hoarding spectrum in a letter sent to several members of Congress Friday. The broadcaster lobbying group said that if a spectrum crisis truly exists, companies like TWC should not be allowed to hoard unused spectrum, according to published reports.
Broadcasters are being asked to voluntarily return unused spectrum so that it can be awarded to companies to use for mobile broadband communications. President Obama has proposed freeing up 500 megahertz of spectrumover the next nine yeasrs. CTIA, the wireless trade lobbying group, questioned NAB’s motives.
“The president, FCC, Congress, NTIA and other policymakers have made it clear that mobile broadband is vital to improving our economy because it will directly impact everything from jobs to education to health care. Wireless Internet access provides broadband to the person at anytime and anywhere. The ability to access the Internet, regardless of your location, is the great equalizer. That is why it’s baffling that the NAB chooses to challenge a voluntary incentive spectrum auction,” said CTIA. “Considering the U.S. has a wireless penetration rate of 93% vs. the broadcasters, who only serve about 10 percent of the U.S. population over the air, we see this as a great opportunity for broadcasters who are literally sitting on more than a 100 megahertz of unused spectrum to contribute their spectrum and get compensated. It’s truly a win-win for their members and industry. More importantly, it is a huge win for consumers.”
NAB addressed the chairmen of the Commerce committees in both houses.