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The Senate Commerce Committee passed legislation on Wednesday that authorizes the FCC to hold auctions in which broadcasters would voluntarily give up their spectrum so that airwave space could be reallocated for wireless services.
The spectrum plan is part of a larger bill, which passed the committee in a 21-4 vote, to build a nationwide network for emergency responders. The legislation still has a long way to go. It now heads to the Senate floor, and other legislation is pending in the House.
Proceeds from the spectrum auctions would be among those directed to the public safety network. But broadcasters also would get a cut as an incentive for giving up their spectrum.
The spectrum auctions are a central part of FCC chairman Julius Genachowski's plan to dramatically upgrade the nation's broadband capabilities. He has been warning of a spectrum crunch, in which the U.S. would fall behind other countries with more advanced wireless networks.
The bill is being praised as an important step forward as communications technology moves ever more to wireless broadband, but it has also set up friction with broadcasters who are arguing that their value as a free medium can't be ignored.
Broadcasters have expressed skepticism, if not outright opposition, to the auction plan, arguing that the "repacking" of stations that choose to stay in business may reduce the reach of their signal. The FCC's National Broadband Plan calls for broadcasters to give up some 120 MHz of spectrum to repurpose for wireless.
In a statement, National Assn. of Broadcasters CEO Gordon Smith said, "As the process moves forward, NAB will work with policymakers to help ensure that broadcasters are able to deliver on the promise of free and local digital television made available to tens of millions of viewers."
Michael Petricone, senior VP of government affairs at the Consumer Electronics Assn., called the committee's vote "a major milestone in ensuring that our nation's spectrum resources are put to the highest use."
"Authorizing the FCC to conduct incentive auctions will result in billions of dollars for the U.S. Treasury, while securing our nation's wireless future," he said.

Contact Ted Johnson at ted.johnson@variety.com

Source: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118038288?categoryid=14&cs=1&cmpid=RSS%7CNews%7CLatestNews

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