CES: Genachowski: More TV Spectrum Could Be Reclaimed Within Two Years [Multichannel News]
I've written about many of the happenings at last week’s CES, covering all kinds of new gadgets and devices. Also in attendance and presenting at the CES was FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. All four FCC Commissioners and various other staffers were in attendance as well.
After taking in all of the tablets, smartphones, and other gadgets, Genachowski gave a speech that emphasized the FCC’s renewed focus on wireless spectrum. “The future success of this industry and our innovation future depends on whether our government acts quickly to unleash more spectrum,” Genachowski said. “To seize the opportunities of our mobile future, we need to tackle the threats to our invisible infrastructure. We need to free up more spectrum.”
With the net neutrality rule making in the agency's rear-view mirror, the FCC has turned to spectrum as its next big hurdle to overcome. In fact, Genachowski noted that spectrum was currently at the top of the FCC’s 2011 agenda.
In his opinion, if Congress acts accordingly, the FCC could be prepared to auction off more spectrum within the next two years.
Because one of the top targets for spectrum changes involves the band used by broadcast television, the National Association of Broadcasters have responded to Genachowski’s comments by noting the 108 MHz of spectrum they have already returned, and they would not necessarily be opposed to an auction, so long as it was voluntary.
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