In an ex parte meeting with the FCC, NAB discussed certain CTIA incentive auction proposals. While there is much upon which the two organizations are in agreement, there are also some significant areas where that is not the case.
NAB addressed its summary of the ex parte meeting to FCC Secretary Marlene H. Dortch.
As a general rule, NAB would like the auction to be as simple and fair as possible.
One area of contention is the duplex gap, which will be shared for use by wireless microphones and unlicensed devices. CTIA would like to add interference protection for wireless companies buying nearby spectrum.
NAB countered that the FCC already eliminated 12 MHz that was to be used for mics and devices, and said this compromise in the favor of the wireless industry had to be honored – particularly since wireless microphones are critical newsgathering tools, making their preservation a matter of prime public interest.
NAB has no objection making interservice interference information available to forward auction bidders, but warned against hypothetical results from ISIX methodology which NAB says may produce predictions that bear no relationship to real world results.
NAB argues that the best way to prevent interference is to avoid spectrum variability between markets to the extent possible.
NAB also said no broadcaster should be forced to abandon the airwaves of acquired spectrum until the wireless carrier is ready to build it out and being operating. It said that fallow airwaves created by wireless companies jumping the gun in this respect was not in the public interest.
NAB agrees with CTIA that the FCC make new file formats and bidder packages available, that it hold one or more mock auctions beforehand, and that it allow at least ten days between the reverse and the forward auction, particularly in order to give television companies to address repacking issues that may come up.
