One of the issues discussed by our guest speaker yesterday, George DeVault of Holston Valley Broadcasting, was the current debate over the best use of spectrum. The FCC and wireless industry look to grab some arguably underused TV spectrum (which has already been mined three times in previous spectrum grabs). A recent report by NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) argues that while there are spectrum needs, "crisis" isn't an appropriate term, and that the FCC could address most anticipated needs within its existing regulatory authority without grabbing serious chunks of the remaining TV spectrum.
While challenging the notion of crisis, the study notes that most existing demand for new mobile spectrum could be met through existing technological improvements, using non-TV spectrum already identified by the NTIA as being underutilized, and allowing spectrum holders to shift to alternative usages.
At the very least, the FCC should begin by acting on these alternative options, and not rely on scares about "crises" to grab large chunks of an already crowded TV spectrum (Earlier spectrum grabs have already significantly reduced the potential for future growth in local TV broadcasting, and some of the plans being talked about would largely close off any potential for future expansion as well as force existing stations off-air, or limited to sharing a channel allocation with other broadcasters.)
Sources: "Solving the Capacity Crunch," NAB Report
"NAB-Commisioned Study Offers Alternatives For Spectrum Crunch," Broadcasting & Cable
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