FCC backs off talk of forcefully reclaiming spectrum from TV broadcasters [EngadgetHD]
The Federal Communications Commission, which has been considering the possibility of reclaiming some portion of spectrum currently used by television broadcasters to use for wireless data applications, is putting that idea on the shelf. The Commission is in the midst of drafting a national broadband strategy, and at the same time, wireless carriers are requesting additional spectrum for wireless data to keep up with growing demand. But the idea met stiff opposition from broadcasters, and the idea wasn't going to be resolved outside of a congressional solution.
Phil Bellaria, the director of scenario planning for the FCC's broadband task force has gone on the record to indicate that the task force drafting the national broadband plan wasn't considering a mandatory reallocation, only giving broadcasters the option to reallocate their spectrum if they wished. So, it appears the broadcast spectrum will remain in the hands of broadcasters for now.
The FCC has requested an extension in the deadline for the broadband plan, which had been due next month. The plan is now expected to be released toward the end of March.
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