It’s not only broadcasters that oppose the FCC’s plan to cram television stations into the duplex gap in certain markets – Mayor Bill deBlasio of New York City has a number of reasons for opposing the proposal as well.
He is well aware that wireless companies aren’t keen on the idea either.
Counsel Maya Wiley wrote, “In particular, the proposal to repack full power broadcasters in the “duplex gap” of the new 600 MHz service would inhibit live broadcast production in major urban areas, complicate the use of microphones in live theater, and deprive millions of Americans of the full benefit of next generation WiFi technologies enabled by making three channels available for unlicensed use on a national basis.”
New York, it turns out, is hoping to achieve 100% wifi capability by 2025, and the duplex gap is a big part of that plan.
Also, the importance of wireless microphones to newsgathering in the city was strongly underscored.
And a major economic driver of the city is Broadway – where the use of wireless mics is of great importance. Also, there is no shortage of high-profile sporting events requiring the same thing.
Wiley noted that the city is aware of at least one full power television licensee that is contemplating participating in the auction – itself.
Wiley pointed out, The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 calls on the FCC to balance among competing goals: Congress directed the FCC to use a voluntary market mechanism to allocate valuable ‘low band’ spectrum to meet our ever growing need for licensed mobile broadband capacity. Of equal importance, Congress required the Commission to preserve the critical role free over-the-air broadcasters play in providing news to all Americans – particularly local news and emergency information. Finally, Congress recognized that the FCC must continue to encourage innovation and meet the equally expanding demand for next generation Wi-Fi service by encouraging unlicensed spectrum access in the guard bands, including the duplex gap, on a non-interfering basis.”
RBR+TVBR observation: Is there anybody out there, besides the FCC, who thinks this is a good idea? If so, we haven’t heard a peep out of them.
