Public Broadcasters Express Concern Over FCC Wireless Auction
Story Highlights
AssociationsNow.com reports that while the wireless industry is ready to embrace a Federal Communications Commission ruling that sets up an auction for spectrum used by TV broadcasters, the Association of Public Television Stations warns that it could lead to viewers losing access to over-the-air stations.
As the Federal Communications Commission was embroiled in an ongoing to-do over net neutrality last month, another decision the agency made around the same time earned plaudits from the tech industry.
But that decision—allowing low-band wireless spectrum used by broadcast television channels to be auctioned off in a sale to wireless broadband providers—has a public broadcasting group raising major concerns. More details:
Last month the FCC preliminarily approved rules for the auction, including a controversial provision setting aside a portion of the wireless spectrum to be sold to smaller wireless carriers. Some stations might be required to move to different channels to make room for the added wireless spectrum. The plan would also expand the access to former television bands for unlicensed wireless use (think better WiFi).
Read more at http://associationsnow.com/2014/06/public-broadcasters-express-concern-fcc-wireless-auction/