Are voluntary spectrum auctions a good way for the United States to smooth the path for wireless broadband in the immediate future? The House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet is looking into it, and Todd Schurz of multimedia Schurz Communications will be on hand to present the broadcast point of view.
The session is entitled “Promoting Broadband, Jobs and Economic Growth Through Commercial Spectrum Auctions.” It will be called to order Wednesday 6/1/11 at noon by Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR).
Broadcasters have indicated they are cool with voluntary auctions in the television band, as long as they are in fact voluntary. Many broadcasters are already using their full swathe of spectrum to add enhanced service made possible by the transition to digital two years ago.
Schurz Communications is a triple threat in the traditional media world, with holdings in television, radio and newspaper.
The full witness list is as follows:
* Christopher Guttman-McCabe, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA-The Wireless Association
* Dr. Michelle Connolly, Assistant Professor of the Profession, Department of Economics, Duke University
* Dean Brenner, Vice President, Government Affairs, Qualcomm Inc.
* Harold Feld, Legal Director, Public Knowledge
* Todd F. Schurz, President and CEO, Schurz Communications
* Bert Ellis, President, Titan Broadcasting Management
RBR-TVBR observation: Broadcasters have an ace in this hearing, and it’s not in the hole – the presiding legislator, Walden, is a former radio group owner, and is expected to make sure that broadcasters get a fair hearing.
